The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct advanced air combat drills alongside French multi-role fighters during the latest edition of the bilateral exercise Garuda 25, scheduled from November 16 to 27 at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France, officials announced on Saturday.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the IAF is participating in the eighth edition of the Indo-French air exercise, a key component of strategic defence cooperation between New Delhi and Paris. The IAF contingent, which arrived in France on November 10, is fielding Su-30MKI fighter jets, its frontline air-superiority aircraft known for long-range strike and manoeuvrability.
The ministry said that heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are supporting the deployment by transporting personnel, equipment, and spares during both induction and de-induction phases. Additionally, IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tankers are extending the range and endurance of the Su-30MKIs, allowing for longer and more complex mission profiles during the drills.
Throughout the two-week exercise, IAF’s Su-30MKIs will fly alongside French Air and Space Force (FASF) fighters in a series of demanding simulated combat situations. These include air-to-air engagements, air defence missions, and coordinated strike operations—scenarios designed to replicate real-world battlefield conditions.
Officials noted that the exercise will focus heavily on enhancing joint operational capabilities. “Garuda 25 provides a platform to refine tactics and procedures in a realistic operational environment,” the ministry said, adding that the participation enables both sides to share operational knowledge, learn from each other’s combat doctrines, and improve interoperability.
The air exercise also strengthens professional exchanges between the two air forces, building on a long-standing partnership. India and France regularly collaborate across air, land, maritime, and space domains, with Garuda serving as one of the flagship engagements in their defence relationship.
Officials said that India’s participation reflects the IAF’s broader commitment to international military cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises. Such engagements, they added, promote mutual understanding, strengthen trust, and enhance operational synergy with friendly nations.
With both the IAF and FASF bringing advanced platforms and experienced personnel to the exercise, Garuda 25 is expected to further consolidate airpower cooperation between India and France, reinforcing their shared goals of regional stability and strategic coordination.
