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Byline

(Conclusion)

New Delhi, May 12 -- Exercise Garuda VIII represents both culmination and foundation-the peak of over two decades of joint air combat training and the starting point for deeper collaboration. The exer... Read More


Strategic assessment and future implications

New Delhi, May 12 -- Exercise Garuda VIII concluded on 27 November 2025, having achieved its stated objectives of enhancing tactical interoperability, refining combat procedures, and strengthening the... Read More


Aerial refueling operations

New Delhi, May 12 -- The aerial refueling operations conducted during the exercise represented significant capability validation, demonstrating compatibility between Indian fighters and French tanker ... Read More


Professional knowledge exchange and weapons simulation

New Delhi, May 12 -- The exercise design incorporated contemporary combat developments, ensuring training relevance to current operational challenges. Advancements in air-to-air, air-to-surface and su... Read More


Training progression and familiarisation

New Delhi, May 12 -- The operational progression featured careful attention to familiarisation before progressing to complex operations. Immediately following arrival, familiarisation flights were con... Read More


Logistical performance and cultural exchange

New Delhi, May 12 -- The logistical preparation for the deployment was comprehensive and demonstrated the IAF's capability to sustain complex operations at extended distances from home bases. Planning... Read More


Indian Air Force perspective and deployment

New Delhi, May 12 -- Group Captain Rohit Kataria, leader of the Indian contingent, provided detailed insight into the IAF perspective, operational approach, and comprehensive preparation undertaken to... Read More


Mission tempo and operational statistics

New Delhi, May 12 -- The operational tempo throughout the exercise was intensive. A typical day commenced at 0700 hours, with the first wave launching at approximately 0730 hours local time. The opera... Read More


French force package and supporting assets

New Delhi, May 12 -- The exercise incorporated challenging mission sets against slow moving and low altitude threats, representing scenarios increasingly relevant in contemporary operational environme... Read More


Phase Two: Beyond visual-range operations

New Delhi, May 12 -- The second week transitioned to Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) operations characterised by longer and more complex mission profiles. These missions incorporated Radar- guided missile e... Read More