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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


Phase One: Within visual-range combat operations

New Delhi, May 12 -- The first week was dedicated to within-visual-range combat, emphasising fundamental aircrew skills in close combat maneuvering and providing a foundation upon which more complex o... Read More


Exercise design and operational architecture

New Delhi, May 12 -- Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel, serving as Garuda Mission Commander and representing the 30th Fighter Wing at Mont-de-Marsan, provided comprehensive insight into the operational archit... Read More


Historical context and strategic framework

New Delhi, May 12 -- The exercise was opened by Air Division General Julien Sabene, representing the FASF, who highlighted the historical context of Franco-Indian military aviation cooperation. His ad... Read More


Exercise Garuda VIII Indo-French Air Combat Training

New Delhi, May 12 -- Exercise Garuda VIII, the eighth iteration of the bilateral Indo-French air combat training exercise, was conducted at Base Aerienne 118 Mont-de- Marsan, France, from 16-27 Novemb... Read More