An Indian Air Force (IAF)contingent participating in the Indo-French joint air combat exercise codenamed 'Garuda' was flagged off from here Monday.
The IAF team including six Su-30 MKI fighters, three IL-78 mid-air flight refuellers, one Il-76 heavylift aircraft and 230 personnel will take part in the exercise from June 14 to 25 at the Isteres air base in France, officials said.
During the exercise, for the first time the two air forces will be joined by the Singaporean Air Force with its American-origin Block 52 F-16s, they added.
IAF's Garuda Special Forces will be taking part in the Indo-French Garuda series air-to-air exercises in France.
During the exercise, the French Air Force will field its Mirage 2000 and Rafael fighters, which have been offered to India for the ongoing competition to supply 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the IAF.
The Indian team will be led by Group Captain J Mishra and the planning, coordination and execution of different aspects of flying and ground manoeuvres would be handled by Exercise Director Gp Capt N N Sinha.
The Garuda series of exercises between India and France started in 2003 aiming to enhance military ties between the two countries and allow their air forces to understand each other's capabilities.
"Joint exercises of this nature enhance mutual
operational understanding and refines the procedural aspects and provides for tremendous learning experience for all the participating air forces," officials said.