New Delhi, December 4 — The Indian Air Force contingent returned to India on December 2 after taking part in the eighth edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral air exercise with the French Air and Space Force held at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan. The exercise concluded on November 27.
The IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighters, IL-78 aerial refuellers and C-17 Globemaster III transports for the exercise. Across the training period both air forces carried out a series of complex, realistic operations, including joint mission planning, coordinated strike and escort missions, and procedural cross-familiarisation to improve interoperability. IAF maintenance teams ensured high aircraft serviceability, allowing scheduled sorties to proceed smoothly.
Senior officials from India and France attended the closing ceremony and lauded the professionalism and dedication of all personnel involved. The Defence Ministry said Garuda 25 ranked among the IAF’s largest international air training engagements this year, delivering operational lessons expected to strengthen the force’s war‑fighting capabilities and deepen jointmanship with partner air forces.
The exercise builds on the India‑France Strategic Partnership, launched on January 26, 1998, which encompasses defence and security cooperation, civil nuclear cooperation and collaboration in space, and now includes an expanding Indo‑Pacific component.
This account is based on a syndicated ANI feed and is published as received; the Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
