Hunting Sukhoi and F-16 in France,

The India -France joint Air Exercise 'GARUDA -IV' began on Monday June 14 th at Istres and Orange Air Base in southern France.
The Exercise 'GARUDA -IV' will continue till June 25.

The first Indo-French exercise was held in 2003 at the Gwalior air base and the second one was organised in France in 2005. The third was held at Kalaikunda air base in 2007.

India`s top line SU-30MKI fighters on Monday reached the Istres Air Base in southern France to kick off a tri-nation exercise that will involve modern fighters from the French and Singapore Air Force. This is the fourth round of the `Garuda` war games, which traditionally involve only India and France, is also the largest in terms of participating aircraft, given that Singapore has sent its F-16 fighters for the aerial combat exercise.

During the Ex Garuda, the Indian Air Force and French Air Force will be engaged in various missions ranging from close combat, engagement of large forces, slow mover protection, and protecting and engagement of High Value Aerial Assets. According to the contingent commander of IAF, Gp Capt J Mishra, "The focus of the Air Exercise is learning from each other's best practices. The Air Defence Operations would be central to our various maneuvers. These would take place in AWACS and non-AWACS environment. The intensity of the exercise would be gradually increased throughout its duration so that we learn and absorb maximum from the exercise".

The IAF is participating with Six SU-30 MKIs, Three IL-78s and one IL-76 Aircraft. Earlier SU-30 KAs had participated in an exercise in France for the first time in 2005.
The IL-76 aircraft which is an integral part of the exercise flying missions, would practise static line drops with the French Special Forces.

The entire IAF contingent arrived at the Istres Air Force Base on 11 Jun 2010 by 1215 hrs local time. The Istres Air Base is a large base located near Istres, North of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhone department, France. The base houses some of the world's finest fighters and helicopters and serves multiple functions, including a repair facility and training grounds. The landing strip of this airbase is said to be the longest in Europe. At Orange Air base the Republic of Singapore Air Force is also participating in the Ex-Garuda for the first time with six F-16D block52 Aircraft. The French Air Force is fielding mid-air refueller aircraft, Mirage 2000 fighters, as well as the latest generation Rafael fighters, which are a contender for the IAF`s tender for 126 fighters to replace the ageing MiG fleet.
 

India has also sent a contingent of the special forces of the Indian Air Force (IAF) which will take part in training missions with the French Special Forces. During the exercise, the IAF's Special Forces 'Garuds' would also be pro-actively participating and shall be carrying out jumps along with the French Special Forces.

During the exercise, various missions will be practised, including close-combat, engagement of large forces, slow mover protection, and protecting and engagement of high-value aerial assets, the spokesperson said. The IAF contingent commander, Group Captain J Mishra, said the focus would be to learn from the best practices of the participating nations. The air defence operations would be central to our various manoeuvres. The intensity of the exercise would be gradually increased throughout its duration so that we learn and absorb maximum from the exercise, Mishra said.

The Indian force consist on the following aircraft;
Six SU-30 MKIs SB058, SB303, SB060 SB305, SB309, SB304
IL-76 K2879
IL-78MKI RK3450, RK3451

The Singapore force;
F-16D Block52+ 145 sqn; 661, 662, 669, 674, 678, 679
KC-135R 112 sqn; 750, 753 (support)
C-130H 122 sqn; 731 (support)

A joint exercise of this nature enhances mutual operational understanding. It also refines the procedural aspects and provides for tremendous learning experience, for all the participating Air Forces. It also enables the operators to understand each other's capability. Exercise Garuda continues to enhance & cement the close military ties between the Indian and the French Air Forces.