Article Posted on : - Nov 01, 2017

A representational photo.

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in a two-week-long multilateral air exercise in Israel beginning Thursday.

It is for the first time the IAF will operate with Israeli air force in a multilateral exercise setting.

A 45-member contingent of IAF left for Israel today to take part in 'Blue Flag-17', the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Blue Flag is a bi-annual multilateral exercise which aims to strengthen military cooperation among participating nations.

Indian Air Force is participating with the C-130J special operations aircraft along with Garud commandos.

"The exercise would provide a platform for sharing of knowledge, combat experience and in improving operational capability of the participating nations," the ministry said.

The exercise is being conducted at Uvda Air Force Base in Israel from Nov 2-16.