India to be part to multi-national air forces exercise in France

TCN Service/New Delhi

India will be part of a multinational air forces exercise in France which will see first ever participation in such exercises by Rafael fight jets.

An Indian government spokesperson said a contingent of the Indian Air force will leave for Exercise Orion at Mont-de-Marsan in France on Friday. The Exercise Orion will be held from 17 April to 5 May.

Indian contingent will comprise four Rafael fighter jets, two C-17 and II-78 aircrafts each and 165 air warriors.

“This would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF’s Rafale aircraft.

Besides the IAF and the FASF, Air Forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and US would also be flying in this multilateral exercise,” the spokesperson said.

He added the Exercise Orion will help in Indian Air Force to imbibe best practices from other air forces and enrich the employment philosophy.