Article Posted on : - Jul 16, 2015

SU-30MKI fighter following a Red Flag mission at Nellis Air Force Base. A file photo: Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney at Nellis Air Force Base, USAF.

NEW DELHI (PTI): A 190-member Indian Air Force contingent, backed by Su-30 fighters, IL-78 tankers, C-17 strategic and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft, left for the UK on Wednesday to take part in the fourth edition of ten-day long bilateral exercise 'Indradhanush'.

The aim of the exercise, beginning July 21, is to enhance mutual operational understanding between the two Air Forces.

The IAF aims to demonstrate its ability to project air power in transcontinental deployment of a task force comprising Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-78 tankers, C-17 strategic and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft in air operations.

In UK, the exercise will be conducted from three airbases.

Su-30 MKI will be operating with the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) at Coningsby, the Transport aircraft will be hosted at Brize Norton and GARUD Special Forces will be hosted at Honington.

During the exercise, the Su-30MKI and Typhoon aircraft, one of the contenders of India's multi-billion medium multi- role combat aircraft, will be operating in mixed formations under various near-realistic scenarios.

The IL-78 and C-130J will also be inducted in missions along with fighter aircraft.

The GARUDS and their RAF counterparts will be carrying out paradrops and other various tasks in the training area, an official statement said.

The exercise will provide ample opportunity for exchange of ideas relating to concept of operations in a dynamic warfare environment, it added.