Indo-French air forces to hold joint exercises in June

In a measure of enhanced cooperation between France and India, the air forces of two nations will hold the fourth edition of Garuda exercise in June. Times of India reports that Garuda – IV will commence on 14 June and conclude on 25 June at Istres airbase in France. In Mar 2010 8ak had reported that the IAF is expected to field its most advanced combat aircraft, Russian made Su-30s, in the fourth edition of the ‘Garud’ exercise. The transport fleet will be represented by the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft and the Il-78 mid-air-refueller.

The French side is expected to field its latest Rafale fighters and various versions of the Mirage-2000 fighters. The IAF has been participating in joint exercises with several air forces across the globe at regular intervals. Prominent among these air forces are UK, French and US. The first Indo-French exercise was held in 2003 at the Gwalior air base and the second one was organised in France in 2005. The third was held at Kalaikunda air base in 2007.

The timing of the exercise is crucial as India is set to ink a US$2.2 billion deal for the upgrade of 52 Mirage-2000 aircraft it bought in the 1980s from France. As part of the deal first six aircrafts would be upgraded in France and the rest would be done in India. The critical deal was stuck for over two years primarily due to the difference in opinion on the price quoted by the French manufacturers Dassault Aviation, Thales and MBDA. It is believed that the original price quoted by the companies for the upgrade was US$58 million per aircraft but after tough negotiations the price has been reduced to US$43 million a unit. Sources say that the Israelis were very keen to do the upgrades at a lower cost but obviously this would not go down well with neither the original equipment manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, nor the French government.

The upgrade will include new avionics including an advanced navigation system, new mission computers with increased capacity and processing speed, helmet-mounted displays, glass cockpits, internal electronic warfare suites and, better armaments & weapon systems making the aircraft battle-worthy for another 15 years. 8ak had earlier reported that the deal has been approved by the Indian government after French President Sarkozy personally threw his weight behind the deal.

Apart from the French air force, IAF will also hold the 'Indradhanush' series exercise with the British Royal Air Force would be held at the Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal in October.