India is preparing to send a fleet of four Rafale jets, along with two C-17 aircraft and two IL-78 mid-air refuellers, to participate in a multinational air exercise that will take place at France’s Mont-de-Marsan military base for a period of around three weeks.
The Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets will be participating in their first overseas exercise, which is scheduled to take place at France’s Mont-de-Marsan military base. The Indian contingent, which includes four Rafale jets, will be departing for France on Friday in preparation for the exercise, which is expected to last for approximately three weeks.
According to an official statement from the Indian Air Force, a contingent of Indian air warriors will be leaving for France on Friday to participate in Exercise Orion at Mont-de-Marsan. The exercise is scheduled to take place from April 17 to May 5 and will involve four Rafale jets, two C-17 aircraft, two IL-78 aircraft, and a total of 165 air warriors from the IAF.
In addition to the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force (FASF), several other air forces from around the world will also participate in Exercise Orion at Mont-de-Marsan. The participating air forces include Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States.
The Indian Air Force stated in a statement that participating in Exercise Orion would enhance its employment philosophy by learning and incorporating best practices from other participating air forces. This will further enrich the IAF’s capabilities and strengthen its international partnerships.