Article Posted on : - Apr 14, 2023

Rafale multi-role fighters of the Indian Air Force. (Photo: PIB)

NEW DELHI (BNS): An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent will be departing today for France to participate in ‘Exercise Orion’ at Mont-de-Marsan – an Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force (FASF).

The multilateral drill will be held from April 17 to May 05, 2023.

The IAF contingent would comprise four Rafale, two C-17, two ll-78 aircraft and 165 air warriors.

This would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF's Rafale air combat platforms, the MoD said in a statement.

Besides the IAF and the FASF, Air Forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and USA would also be flying in the multilateral exercise.

“Participation in this exercise would further enrich the employment philosophy of the India Air Force, by imbibing the best practices from other Air Forces,” the official statement said.