The exercise will foster professional engagement and improve operational expertise

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has commenced the first phase of the bilateral exercise 'Garuda VIl', along with the French Air and Space Force (FASF), at Air Force Station Jodhpur in the desert areas of India's Rajasthan. The 7th edition of the exercise began on October 26 and will go on until November 12.

Taking to Twitter, the official Twitter account of the Indian Air Force shared images of the opening phase of the exercise. The Indian Air Force wrote,

"Posing at 10000 feet ! #ExerciseGaruda VII has commenced, with the opening phase seeing the #IAF & the @Armee_de_lair familiarising themselves with each other's steeds. The coming days will see some intense flying activity over the Indian desert areas. #BridgesofFriendship"

FASF will take part in this exercise with four Rafale fighter planes, one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) plane, and a team of 220 people.

On the other hand, the IAF is taking part with its Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, Jaguar, and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) fighter aircraft, as well as Mi-17 and LCH helicopters. Combat Enabling Assets, including Flight Refueling Aircraft, AWACS, and AEW & C, will also be part of the IAF contingent.

This joint exercise would give both nations a platform to improve their operational capabilities and interoperability while also exchanging best practices, India's Ministry of Defence had said last week.

The ministry also stated that the IAF and FASF's involvement in this exercise will foster professional engagement, experience sharing, and the improvement of operational expertise, in addition to cementing bilateral ties between the two nations.