Joint Military Exercises: News & Discussion

Roop · Post by **Roop** » 20 Aug 2022 21:36

Aha! I now see the reason for the confusion: there are in fact, two separate India-US exercises:

Currently under way: Vajra Prahaar (in Himachal Pradesh).
Scheduled for October: Yudh Abhyas (in Uttarakhand).

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2022 23:25

https://twitter.com/IndianEmbJkt/status ... mfaykiEAfA ---> Four Su-30MKI and two C-17s of the IAF had a successful transit stage-through at Juanda Air Station, Surabaya on 17/18 Aug 2022, enroute for #ExPitchBlack2022. Thanks to TNI, @_TNIAL_, @_TNIAU and Gapura for the support.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2022 23:26

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... mfaykiEAfA ---> Superb photos courtesy @Armee_de_lair of Indian Air Force Su-30MKIs enroute Australia to participate in Ex Pitch Black '22. A French A330 Phénix MRTT deployed at Amberley for PB'22 refuelled IAF MKIs & it's the 1st time France is supporting India in its projection interoperability.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2022 23:28

Videos of the above event...

https://twitter.com/delhidefence/status ... mfaykiEAfA

https://twitter.com/Sandeep_Mave/status ... mfaykiEAfA

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/156 ... mfaykiEAfA

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2022 23:30

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/156 ... mfaykiEAfA ---> Hot in from Exercise Pitch Black 22!

eklavya · Post by **eklavya** » 02 Sep 2022 17:29

eklavya · Post by **eklavya** » 03 Sep 2022 15:25

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 25 Oct 2022 05:07

https://twitter.com/RAFIndia_/status/15 ... erua6TplPQ ---> Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 from Royal Air Force No.6 "Dragons" Squadron in a joint training exercise with Indian Air Force Su-30MKI and Dassault Rafale F3R. Special Thanks to @_ritesh2512 who spotted it first on RAF Lossiemouth.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 27 Oct 2022 07:56

India plans military drill with US near China border - Rajat Pandit, ToI

India has lined up a flurry of combat exercises before the year ends to further bolster military interoperability with friendly countries, which includes the Malabar quadrilateral naval wargames off Japan, infantry exercises with Australia and three Asean countries, and high-altitude warfare drills with the US near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Warships, submarines, fighters, aircraft and helicopters will be deployed by India, the US, Japan and Australia off Yokosuka in Japan from November 8 to 18 for the top-notch Malabar exercise, with the four 'Quad' countries having firmly declared their intent to deter any "coercion" in the Indo-Pacific with an eye on China's aggressive expansionist policies.

The Quad and AUKUS, the trilateral pact among the US, UK and Australia to help Canberra acquire nuclear submarines, are important components of this policy.

While dispatching multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, anti-submarine corvette INS Kamorta and a P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft for the Malabar exercise, which will be preceded by Japan's international fleet review, India is also gearing up for the major land exercise with the US.

The battalion-level 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise between the Indian and US armies will be held at Auli in Uttarakhand, barely 100 km from the LAC with China, from November 15 to December 2.

"With around 350 soldiers from each side, Yudh Abhyas will witness employment of integrated battle groups in mountains and extreme cold climate, along with heliborne elements and an integrated surveillance grid," an officer said.

With India also steadily enhancing military ties with Australia, their armies will now also conduct the first-ever 'Austra-Hind' infantry combat exercise at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan from November 28 to December 11. "It will promote the capability to operate together in semi-desert terrain," he added.

India on Wednesday kicked off the SIMBEX naval exercise with Singapore in the Bay of Bengal.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Oct 2022 19:32

IAF, French Air and Space Force personnel participating in bilateral exercise 'Garuda VIl'
https://www.indiablooms.com/news-detail ... a-vil.html
28 Oct 2022

This is the seventh edition of the bilateral exercise. The first, third and fifth editions were conducted in India in 2003, 2006 and 2014 at Air Force Stations Gwalior, Kalaikunda and Jodhpur, respectively. The second, fourth and sixth editions were conducted in France in 2005, 2010 and 2019.

https://twitter.com/SuboSrivastava/stat ... JCEptLfenw ---> 7th edition of Ex Garuda 2022, a bilateral Indo-French large force employment warfare exercise will be hosted by IAF from Oct 26 to Nov 12.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Oct 2022 19:33

https://twitter.com/Defensify007/status ... JCEptLfenw ---> Indian Air Force & French Air and Space Force (FASF) are participating in a bilateral exercise 'Garuda' from 26 Oct to 12 Nov 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. Su-30MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, Jaguar, LCH & Mi-17 Helicopters are participating from IAF side.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Oct 2022 19:36

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/158 ... JCEptLfenw ---> First bilateral air exercise involving the IAF’s newly inducted Prachand light combat helicopters — India-France Air Force Exercise Garuda from Oct 26-Nov 12. French Rafales in drills with IAF Rafales, Su-30, LCA, LCH & Jaguars.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/RobinSinghCho10/sta ... JCEptLfenw

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Oct 2022 19:41

The above image of Prachand LCH is just a representative image and not of the chopper participating in the exercise.

Please post images (WITH LINK!) of Prachand LCH and Tejas Mk1s participating in this exercise.

Desi maal participating in international military exercise - great day for the country. Jai Hind!

If my memory serves me right, this is the first instance? Please advise.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Oct 2022 19:59

https://twitter.com/RAFIndia_/status/15 ... 624KCOm8XQ ---> This is a first ever publicly known participation of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) "Prachand" and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) "Tejas" in an exercise with an international partner.

Bala Vignesh · Post by **Bala Vignesh** » 29 Oct 2022 20:05

May be i am reading into this too much, but i see this as a mark of IAF's confidence on the platforms along with their intent to see how the platforms perform against technologically superior force and its employement doctrines.

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 30 Oct 2022 18:18

Rakesh wrote:...

is there any particular reason our dresses are loose, especially at feet? some weather preference or something else?

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 31 Oct 2022 05:36

ArjunPandit wrote:is there any particular reason our dresses are loose, especially at feet? some weather preference or something else?

You are looking at the flight suit minus the g-suit. Pilots wear their flight suit on base, even if they are not flying. But when scheduled for a flight (especially in a high performance fighter), g-suits are obviously required. The FASF pilots in the pictures posted above, have just disembarked from their Rafale fighter and thus they have their g-suit still on.

See this picture below of Rambha pilots heading to their respective aircraft for a particular mission. See the flight suit + g-suit...

Image Source: https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/2 ... 67094.html

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 31 Oct 2022 05:39

https://twitter.com/riteshDJT/status/15 ... eHjVeCj9fg ---> Wing Commander Indranil Nandi drops the bomb. Su-30MKIs of @IAF_MCC along with Rafale A and Rafale B of @Armee_de_lair during Ex Garuda VII at Jodhpur.

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 31 Oct 2022 14:53

Rakesh wrote:You are looking at the flight suit minus the g-suit. Pilots wear their flight suit on base, even if they are not flying. But when scheduled for a flight (especially in a high performance fighter), g-suits are obviously required. The FASF pilots in the pictures posted above, have just disembarked from their Rafale fighter and thus they have their g-suit still on.

See this picture below of Rambha pilots heading to their respective aircraft for a particular mission. See the flight suit + g-suit...

thanks very helpful!

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 31 Oct 2022 20:40

Bala Vignesh wrote:May be i am reading into this too much, but i see this as a mark of IAF's confidence on the platforms along with their intent to see how the platforms perform against technologically superior force and its employement doctrines.

https://twitter.com/lca_tejas_/status/1 ... ZafHFRIgbQ --->

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Nov 2022 11:36

Australia keen to crank up military ties with India as China flexes muscle in Indo-Pacific region - ToI

Amid muscle-flexing by China in the Indo-Pacific, Australia is keen to further crank up military ties with India in terms of maritime domain awareness, combat exercises, classified information exchange, interoperability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Tthere is “a lot of stress and strain” underway in the Indo-Pacific with a number of challenges like climate change and “big power muscle movement”, which includes India facing “live borders”, visiting Australian Fleet commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley said on Tuesday.

With India and Australia “guarding the two flanks of the Indian Ocean”, the two countries can “certainly” enhance cooperation in maritime domain awareness through classified exchanges and exploitation of common platforms like P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and MH-60 `Romeo’ helicopters, he added.

The two countries will also increase the complexity of their bilateral and multilateral combat exercises. India, the US, Japan and Australia will kick off the top-notch Malabar exercise off Yokosuka in Japan next week, with the “Quad” countries having earlier declared their intent to deter any `coercion’ in the Indo-Pacific.

Rear Admiral Earley said Australia has also invited India to participate in its largest biennial `Talisman Sabre’ exercise with the US and other countries next year. After India’s recent participation in the major multi-nation `Pitch Black’ air combat exercise at Darwin in Australia, the armies from the two countries will also conduct the first-ever `Austra-Hind’ infantry combat exercise at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan from November 28 to December 11, as was first reported by TOI.

Under Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity, the Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE22), two Australian warships with embarked helicopters and around 1,300 personnel are also currently at Visakhapatnam.

“IPE22 supports the Australian government’s commitment to an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region. The activity will strengthen Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional nations,” said Australian high commissioner Barry O’Farrell.

“India is an important strategic partner for Australia and has a critical role to play in the security and stability of the wider Indo-Pacific. IPE22 will pave the way for deeper and more sophisticated operational cooperation between our defence forces,” he added.

MeshaVishwas · Post by **MeshaVishwas** » 03 Nov 2022 12:48

First of their classes Shivalik and Kamorta sailing into Yokosuka for the IFR.
Catch the cannon fire too which is rare on film.

Will take part in the Malabar Exercises there after the IFR.
https://twitter.com/PRO_Vizag/status/15 ... nCi6cTEBLw

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Nov 2022 19:54

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1588 ... XXXd02Iahw ---> With Ex Garuda VII underway with the French Air & Space Force, IAF also welcomed @TheRSAF at an air base in the East. Over the next two weeks, the two Air Forces would be training together, thereby further strengthening the bonds between them. #DiplomatsInFlightSuits

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Nov 2022 20:42

Tejas Mk1s are now participating in this year's exercise with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)!

This is addition to the Tejas Mk1 participating in Exercise Garuda with the French Air & Space Force (FASF).

This is an annual exercise between the two air forces, due to an agreement signed between the Govts of India and Singapore. But what makes these yearly exercises valuable is that the RSAF operates the F-16 Block 50/52 - the same variant that the PAF operates (18 airframes). In previous exercises, our Rambha crews have come out on top against the RSAF's Block 50/52s in dogfights. Now its the Tejas' turn.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FguJjvWVEAI ... name=large ---> On Nov 3, the 11th edition of annual Joint Military Training between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced at Air Force Station, Kalaikunda. The RSAF is participating with F-16s and IAF is pitching Su-30MKI, Jaguar, MiG-29UPG & LCA Tejas.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 06 Nov 2022 20:42

Japan PM vows to strengthen military at international naval review
https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/ ... 15583.html
06 Nov 2022

The U.S. military, which had just finished a joint exercise with South Korea that prompted missile barrages and other warnings from North Korea, is set to hold major drills with Japan later this month in southwestern Japan.

Australia, Canada and Britain will join part of the drills, while France, India, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Korea are expected to take part as observers.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 06 Nov 2022 21:32

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1588 ... 7xjBTFnOfQ ---> Glimpses of the ongoing Exercise Garuda VII over the deserts of the western sector. As the pace picks up, the two Air Forces will be graduating to more complex engagements, involving multiple platforms.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 08 Nov 2022 20:44

VIDEO: https://twitter.com/livefist/status/158 ... JAx5fMQEag ---> As part of Exercise Garuda VII, the Air Force chiefs of India & France fly sorties from Jodhpur. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in an IAF Rafale & General Stéphane Mille in an IAF Su-30 MKI.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 08 Nov 2022 21:00

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1589 ... sth2sSaJ2g ---> Leading by example. Chiefs from both the IAF & @Armee_de_lair took to the skies in one of the multi-aircraft missions flown during Exercise Garuda. The unique flight provided the perfect overview of the exercise to both the commanders.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 08 Nov 2022 21:03

https://twitter.com/RAFIndia_/status/15 ... sth2sSaJ2g ---> Indian Navy P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) arrived in La Reunion Islands in Southern Indian Oceanic Region (IOR) on 08 November 2022 on a four-day deployment to engage with French Navy and conduct coordinated operations.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 08 Nov 2022 22:31

https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1 ... JAx5fMQEag ---> Indian Navy's P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft arrived at La Reunion in Southern Indian Ocean Region for conduct of joint surveillance missions in EEZ of Reunion Island as part of coordinated operations with the French Navy.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 09 Nov 2022 08:04

India and France in defence clinch, in air and on sea - Rajat Pandit, ToI

India and France are now set to undertake a joint maritime surveillance mission in the southern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as part of their robust strategic partnership, even as their air force chiefs took to the skies in fighters during the ongoing `Garuda’ air combat exercise in Jodhpur on Tuesday.

Officials said a P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy has touched down at the strategically-located La Réunion, a French overseas island east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius, for coordinated surveillance and ocean-mapping operations with the French Navy “to further enhance maritime domain awareness, security and safety in the southern IOR”.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 09 Nov 2022 20:47

'Quad' countries kick off Malabar exercise with China on their radar screens - ToI

The 'Quad’ countries of India, the US, Japan and Australia have kicked off their top-notch Malabar naval exercise off Yokosuka near the East China Sea, with China’s aggressive moves in the Indo-Pacific figuring high on their radar screens.

India has deployed multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, anti-submarine corvette INS Kamorta and a P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft for the 10-day Malabar exercise that will witness “advanced coordinated anti-submarine warfare” among other complex combat drills.

The US has fielded nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville and Aegis guided missile destroyer USS Milius. Australia, in turn, is participating with Anzac-class frigate Arunta and tanker Stalwart, while Japan has helicopter-carrier Hyuga, destroyers Takanami and Shiranui, and tanker Oumi.

The exercise’s opening ceremony was attended by Indian Eastern Fleet commander Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Japan’s Self Defense Fleet commander-in-chief Vice Admiral Yuasa Hideki, US Seventh Fleet commander Vice Admiral Karl Thomas and Australian Fleet commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 Nov 2022 23:05

https://twitter.com/delhidefence/status ... IZPaurdHGA ---> US Navy SEALs, Japanese Special Boarding Unit and Indian Marine Commandos (MARCOS) reviewing Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) procedures before conducting trilateral trainings on 07 November 2022, as part of Exercise Malabar 2022.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 Nov 2022 23:28

https://twitter.com/TheLegateIN/status/ ... IZPaurdHGA ---> Singapore Air Force F-16Cs are taking full advantage of using the air to air and air to ground firing ranges near AFS Kalaikunda.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 11 Nov 2022 21:22

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1590 ... PDP5Sg2iYw ---> On the sidelines of the ongoing #Exercise Garuda VII, IAF aircrew were familiarized with aerial refueling from an @Armee_de_lair A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). IAF fighter aircraft later refueled from the tanker.

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 21 Nov 2022 21:23

Exercise Shatru nash going on in Sh GangaNagar Rajasthan

https://hindi.news18.com/videos/india-p ... 31491.html
-Conducted near Pokhran Mahajan firing range
-Eqpmt used T90, K9, Sharang, ALH/Rudra,UAV, Qaudcopters
- Against enemy air defences
Move and fire drill
- https://twitter.com/Sandeep_Mave/status ... 7476331520

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 07 Jan 2023 21:43

India, Japan to hold maiden bilateral air exercise

India and Japan will hold their first bilateral air exercise from January 12 to 26, in reflection of the growing defence ties amid increasing concerns over China's military muscle flexing in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise 'Veer Guardian-2023' involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) will be held at Japan's Hyakuri air base.

The IAF said on Saturday that its deployment at the exercise will include four Su-30 MKI jets, two C-17 aircraft and one IL-78 plane.

The JASDF will be participating with four F-2 and four F-15 aircraft, it said.

"To promote Air Defence cooperation between the countries, India and Japan are all set to hold the joint air exercise, 'Veer Guardian-2023'," the IAF said in a statement.

India and Japan agreed to step up bilateral defence cooperation and engage in more military exercises, including holding of the first joint fighter jet drills, during the second '2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial' dialogue in Tokyo in September.

The IAF said the upcoming exercise will be another step in deepening strategic ties and closer defence cooperation between the two countries.

"The inaugural exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two air forces. They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices," the IAF said.

It said experts from both sides will also hold discussions to share their expertise on varied operational aspects.

"Exercise 'Veer Guardian' will fortify the long standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two air forces," it said.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 07 Jan 2023 21:45

In a first, IAF woman fighter pilot to join aerial wargames in Japan

For the first time, an Indian Air Force woman fighter pilot would be part of the Indian contingent for the aerial wargames to be held with outside the country.

The women officers have been participating in wargames with the foreign contingents coming to India including the French Air Force where two of the lady fighter pilots took part but this would be the first time they would be representing the country on foreign land.

India's one of the first three lady fighter pilots Squadron Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi will be leaving for Japan shortly for participating in the exercise. Squadron Leader Chaturvedi is a Su-30MKI pilot.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 Jan 2023 19:26

https://twitter.com/VishnuNDTV/status/1 ... sKIPujj62A ---> IAF's Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, in the first batch of 3 women to join the IAF as fighter pilots, is headed to Japan for major wargames. She is fully operational on the Su-30 & based in Jodhpur. She used to fly the MiG-21 Bison. Super to see her career progression.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 Jan 2023 19:27

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1611 ... sKIPujj62A ---> An IAF contingent will depart tomorrow for Hyakuri Air Base, Japan for the maiden Exercise Veer Guardian 2023 to be held with Japan Air Self Defence Force from 12 to 26 Jan 2023. IAF will participate with four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 Globemasters and an IL-78 tanker.