India-UK Air Force Exercise ‘Indradhanush’ from October 18

To promote operational cooperation with foreign air forces, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will launch an India-UK Air Force exercise ‘Indradhanush’ at the Kalaikunda Air Force station in West Midnapur (West Bengal) from October 18. This will be the first time that the Royal Air Force (RAF) will be seen in a joint operation in India. The exercise is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding between the two air forces and refining the procedures for such future exercises.

The IAF will be participating with its top-of-the-line aircraft like SU-30 MKI, Mirage 2000s, Mig 27s and Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). The RAF will be deploying its AWACS (E-3D) and Air-to-Air refuellers (VC-10). For the first time, the IAF AWACS aircraft will participate in the exercise. The IAF will also be exploring the logistics management required to move large forces during an-out-of-area contingency. Air Marshal KK Nohwar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, said, “The exercise will create a platform for both air forces to understand the operational philosophies, work cultures and also provide an opportunity for the IAF to understand state-of-the-art technologies.”

The exercise will lay emphasis on introducing the IAF crew and controllers to missions like the Large-Force Engagements and the protection of High-Value Aerial Assets as undertaken by the RAF as a part of the coalition and expeditionary force deployment across the globe.

Posted in: AWACS,Fighter jet,India,Su-30