New Delhi, June 2 (IANS): The Indian and French air forces Monday began bilateral exercise "Ex Garuda V" involving war games and manoeuvres to carry out surgical strikes.
An official release said that during the exercise, which will go on till June 13, the two air forces would engage in operations based on their philosophy of practising challenging situations.
It said the exercise, the fifth in series of joint air exercises between the two countries, would help the two forces appreciate intricacies of planning and execution of combat missions in an operational environment.
Frontline fighter aircraft of the IAF including the SU-30, Mig-27 (UPG), Mig 21 Bison and force multipliers such as the AWACS (airborne warning and control system) and flight refueller IL-78 will take part, while the French Air Force has fielded their Rafale fighter aircraft along with their KC 135 refueller.
The previous edition of the exercise was held at Istres (France) in 2010, the release said.
The exercise, being staged out of Jodhpur air base, will involve the assets of IAF's main operational formations including the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command and Allahabad based Central Air Command.