The military drill “Orion” between France and India will start on Monday at Mont-de-Marsan, an Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force (FASF).
France’s ambassador, Emmanuel Lenain, posted on Twitter, “France warmly welcomes the @IAF_MCC contingent that will be taking part in drill #Orion2023 starting today! Soon, #Rafale jets from France and India will fly together over France.”
The exercise will take place from April 17 to May 5, 2023. The IAF contingent will have 165 air warriors and four Rafale, two C-17, and two ll-78 planes. According to a statement from the Defense Ministry, this would be the first overseas practice for the IAF’s Rafale planes.
“In addition to the IAF and the FASF, the Air Forces of Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, and the US would also be taking part in this international practice. By taking part in this drill, the India Air Force would learn about the best ways to do things from other Air Forces, which would add to its employment philosophy, according to the statement.
Earlier, it was expected that Indian Rafale fighter planes would take part in a war game called “Orion,” which is being hosted by France and includes many of its NATO and other important allies.
“Rafale fighter jets from the Indian Air Force are expected to go to France to take part in Exercise Orion at a French air base there. From the third week of April to May 5, the wargames are set to take place.
The French Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as their allies in the US and UK, took part in Orion, which is said to be the biggest multinational exercise ever done by the French defense forces.
It is said that more than 7,000 NATO troops took part in the drill with the land forces of their NATO partners.
Exercise Copeindia will start on April 10 in Kalaikunda, West Bengal, and the Indian Air Force will be there as well. Sources say that there may be some changes to the schedule of the drills and the presence of American F-15 fighter planes.
The Rafale fighter planes are the newest jets to join the Indian Air Force. They are thought to be the most powerful in all of Asia.
All 36 Rafales have been put into service, and they have made a big difference in improving tactical readiness along both the Pakistani and Chinese borders.
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