Article Posted on : - Jun 24, 2010

IAF's IL-78 refuller with a Su-30 MKI carrying out a mission during the Indo- French Exercise Garuda in France. A PTI Photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): The tri-lateral aerial wargames ‘Garuda 2010’ between the air forces of India, France and Singapore entered its final phase at the Istres Air Base in France on Wednesday.

During the exercise, over 60 different missions have been successfully flown and the exercise would conclude in next two days, IAF officials said here.

In the wargames, aircraft of the three air forces engaged in various air defence manoeuvres such as implementation of “no fly zones” and large force engagements during day and night, they said.

Six Indian Air Force Su-30MKIs along with French Mirage-2000-5s and Singaporean F-16s are taking part in the exercise.

The SU-30s also took part in the high value air borne asset protection as well as their protection busting missions, they said.

IAF’s IL-78 and French KC-135 refuellers also participated in various missions carrying out refuelling of fighters from each others’ air forces, they added.

During exercise ‘Garuda’, the Su-30s were subjected to unique feature of performing “swing roles” where same aircraft was tasked to carry out defensive and offensive roles.

IAF's IL-76s are also being used to paradrop IAF special forces team “Garud” along with the French special forces, who have so far carried out two jumps each by day and night.

Visiting the exercise contingent, Eastern Air Commander Air Marshal K K Nowhar said, “The exercise has helped us refine our doctrine. In future, there is a slim chance that a country would operate in isolation especially in a co-operative defence scenario.

“Thus, knowing each others’ best practices in terms of tactics, techniques and procedures is the main objective of this exercise,” he added.