GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th April. In a first, Indian Rafale combat aircraft are likely to take part in Orion, a multinational wargame hosted by France and involving many of its NATO and other important allies.
“Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets are likely to fly to France to participate in Exercise Orion being held at a French air base there. The wargames are planned to be held from the third week of April to May 5,” defence officials said.
The aircraft likely to take part in the exercise are likely to be from the Western Air Command of the force which has the Golden Arrows squadron as part of it, they said.
The exercise is being held in France against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, in which NATO, led by the United States, is opposing Russian moves against Ukraine.
The IAF’s Rafales have previously participated in wargames with foreign countries held within India, including those with the French Air Force in Jodhpur codenamed Desert Knight.
The French Air Force would participate in the wargames alongside NATO and other allies, flying Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighter planes.
Orion is reportedly the largest multinational exercise ever conducted by French defence forces, involving their Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as allies the United States and the United Kingdom.
Over 7,000 NATO troops are said to have participated in the drill involving NATO allies’ land forces.
The Indian Air Force will also participate in Exercise Copeindia, which will begin on April 10 in Kalaikunda, West Bengal. According to sources, there is a chance that the drill schedule and availability of American F-15 fighter planes will change.
The Rafale aircraft are the most recent fighters to be inducted into the Indian Air Force and are widely regarded as the most powerful in the entire Asian region.
The 36 Rafales have been fully inducted and have contributed significantly to the country’s operational readiness along both its borders with Pakistan and China.
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