Exercise Indradhanush: Indian Airforce and Royal Airforce

Adux · Jul 12, 2007

MEDIA FACILITY

Date: Thursday, 12th July
Location: RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire

A media facility will take place at RAF Waddington where there will be an opportunity to meet and interview RAF and IAF personnel taking part in
exercise Indra Dhanush. There will also be an opportunity to witness
exercise activity at Waddington, involving IAF and RAF aircraft and
personnel.

It is expected that Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, Commander-in
Chief Air (RAF) representing the Chief of the Royal Air Force and Air Chief
Marshal Fali Homi Major, Chief of the Indian Air Force, will be available for
comment during the facility. Timings for the day are as follows:

0900 Arrival.

0905 Welcome Brief.

1000 Opportunity for Media to watch IAF and RAF prepare for
sortie and take-off.

1115 Opportunity to cover non-aircraft stories such as Field
Catering, Charity Work, Fire Crews and Air Traffic.

1150 Opportunity to view aircraft recovery and interview
exercise participants.

1300 Senior Air Force Representatives available for comment.

1330 Departure.

Adux · Jul 12, 2007

We can slowly get more updates on the results from now

Adux · Jul 12, 2007

Adux · Jul 12, 2007

Sam Dhanraj · Jul 13, 2007

Sukhois prove their mettle in Indo-UK wargame

BY : PTI

India's frontline Sukhoi-30 MKI warplanes today had the opportunity to prove their mettle against the new generation of fighters as they crossed swords with Britain's Eurofighter Typhoons in a wargame here.

The Sukhois took on Royal Air Force Torandoes and Typhoons in intricate simulated beyond visual range combat over the skies here to ring down the curtains on the second bilateral Indo-UK air exercise.

Typhoons are among the newest fighters to be developed and have just entered squadron service with the Royal Air Force.

The simulated combat began with low-level exercises and touched a crescendo in a highly complex conceivable scenario -- a six versus six aerial combat involving four Sukhois, four Tornadoes, two Typhoons and two GR9 Sea-Harriers.

The RAF E3D sentry AWACS were also in play along with IL-78 Air to Air refuellers to make the combat network-centric.

Air Force Chief Fali Homi Major was at hand to see his air warriors in action against the latest generation of fighters. This was the first time the air warriors were in action anywhere over the English skies.

The Indian Sukhoi which has built up a reputation in air combat proved to be a big draw as hundreds of people watched the air exercise carried out over the Royal air base here.

The IAF-RAF expert judges who kept the score count on the control tower of the air base did not let out the score of shoots and kills, merely saying there were no "winners or losers".

Sam Dhanraj · Jul 13, 2007

INDRADHANUSH-2007 DRAWS TO A CLOSE AT UK

MOD (India)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16:14 IST
Curtains were finally drawn on the second bilateral Indo-UK air exercise - Indradhanush 2007, which concluded on a high note here at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington on Thursday.

The exercise that began with a series of 1vs1 sorties, reached its crescendo with a highly complex conceivable scenario - a 6vs6 aerial combat involving 4 x Su-30 MKIs, 4 x F3 Tornadoes, 2 x Typhoons and 2 x GR9 Sea Harriers of the Royal Navy. Also airborne were an IL-78 MKI air-to-air refueller and an E3D Sentry AWACS aircraft in the vicinity of the exercise.

Air Chief Marshal FH Major, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Indian Air Force (IAF) who is on an official tour to UK currently, was present at RAF Waddington to see the exercise culminate and meet the participating IAF team members. Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, Commander-in-Chief (CinC) Air Command, RAF accompanied the CAS during the visit.

This was the first time that the IAF carried out an exercise anywhere in UK. It was also an exercise where the IAF Su-30 MKI's maiden arrival over the European sky was keenly awaited by thousands of aviation aficionados and spotters, who thronged the perimeter of the airbase unfailingly on a daily basis, all through the exercise duration. This was also an opportunity that provided social and cultural interaction between the two countries.

The visit by the IAF team also coincided with the Waddington International Air Show and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at Fairford, within a span of two weeks. IAF participation at the two events were a coup of sorts for the organisers. Having been adjudged the 'best static display' at Waddington air show, expectations are already soaring high at the RIAT, the world's biggest air show.

The exercise wasn't about winners or losers, yet both sides ended on a winning note. "It was an excellent learning curve for our pilots who will go back with a lot of experience" said the Indian Air Chief. He also thanked the Government and the RAF in England for hosting the IAF. The RAF C-in-C termed the exercise as an 'outstanding success'.

Earlier, Station Commander RAF Leeming, Group Captain E Stringer while briefing the visiting CAS stated that the |RAF had adopted a 'building-block' approach to meet future IAF training and coalition aspirations. "The exercise achieved all its aims and objectives" - he further stated. Summing up on the RAF experience he said that a major outcome of the exercise was the appreciation of the fact that the two Air Forces actually "see the world through similar eyes", and that there were many "commonalities" in the tactical procedures of the two air forces, thereby laying a foundation for further RAF-IAF interactions.

SK/TKS (in Waddington)

Sam Dhanraj · Jul 13, 2007

Exercise Indra Dhanush Wraps Up at Waddington

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued July 12, 2007)

The first ever combined United Kingdom /Indian air exercise to take place in the UK has drawn to a close with both sides pleased by what they achieved during the fortnight-long training package.

Exercise Indra Dhanush, which took place at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, followed on from a successful training exercise between the Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force (IAF) in India in 2006.

This time pilots and aircrew from Waddington welcomed their Indian counterparts to the UK after training with them in Gwalior and Agra in 2006. The two-part exercise, designed to further develop UK and Indian relations, is the first time that the two countries have worked together in more than 40 years.

Officer Commanding 25 Squadron, Wing Commander John Prescott, said:

"We first worked with 43 Squadron India for the first part of this exercise in 2006 which the Indians hosted. Working with a nation we were not familiar with proved to be extremely good value.

"It is good for both sides to be able to adapt and work with each other and gain a level of understanding with officers and airmen - not just in the air but in a social situation as well.

"From my point of view there are mixed experience levels in the Squadron across all ranks with some having experience of working alongside other countries, while others have no coalition experience.

"This exercise has given them the chance to learn how to operate closely with a different nation, particularly a country which is non-NATO and non-European. Both ground crew and pilots have gained confidence and flexibility from the work they have done.

"It's been an absolute success with all of the aims and objectives achieved. We have gone from simple air exercises to large force employment in a variety of operational relevant scenarios.

"The Indian pilots spoke excellent English, so apart from taking into account a different accent, there were no problems with communication."

The Indians are using SU30 MK 1 fighters during the exercise. They have also brought a tanker and full ground crew with them.

The IAF has historically chosen many UK aircraft for its fleet, with India already having acquired the Hawk fast jet trainer. Their procurement of the Hawk has seen many IAF pilots training at RAF Valley as part of the deal.

The Exercise Indra Dhanush training has evolved from basic, simple air exercises to large scale force employment in a number of operational scenarios. Flt Lt David Griffiths, a pilot with 25 Squadron, said:

"It's been a fantastic experience, and not like anything I have done before - it is my first time working with another nation and it's the chance of a lifetime. It's been extremely challenging.

"We have been really working together and integrating crews from both nations onto each side. We have had to learn each other's terms and tactics and it has definitely been rewarding."

Wg Cdr A C Chopra added:

"We wanted to build on last year's exercise in India and we have been able to meet our objectives. We have flown in mixed formations and now have a degree of interoperability." (ends)

Adux · Jul 14, 2007

Exercise Indra Dhanush Wraps Up at Waddington

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued July 12, 2007)

An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Flanker H flies alongside a Typhoon and a Tornado F3 from the Royal Air Force. (MoD photo by Geoff Lee)The first ever combined United Kingdom /Indian air exercise to take place in the UK has drawn to a close with both sides pleased by what they achieved during the fortnight-long training package.

Exercise Indra Dhanush, which took place at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, followed on from a successful training exercise between the Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force (IAF) in India in 2006.

This time pilots and aircrew from Waddington welcomed their Indian counterparts to the UK after training with them in Gwalior and Agra in 2006. The two-part exercise, designed to further develop UK and Indian relations, is the first time that the two countries have worked together in more than 40 years.

Officer Commanding 25 Squadron, Wing Commander John Prescott, said:

"We first worked with 43 Squadron India for the first part of this exercise in 2006 which the Indians hosted. Working with a nation we were not familiar with proved to be extremely good value.

"It is good for both sides to be able to adapt and work with each other and gain a level of understanding with officers and airmen - not just in the air but in a social situation as well.

"From my point of view there are mixed experience levels in the Squadron across all ranks with some having experience of working alongside other countries, while others have no coalition experience.

"This exercise has given them the chance to learn how to operate closely with a different nation, particularly a country which is non-NATO and non-European. Both ground crew and pilots have gained confidence and flexibility from the work they have done.

"It's been an absolute success with all of the aims and objectives achieved. We have gone from simple air exercises to large force employment in a variety of operational relevant scenarios.

"The Indian pilots spoke excellent English, so apart from taking into account a different accent, there were no problems with communication."

The Indians are using SU30 MK 1 fighters during the exercise. They have also brought a tanker and full ground crew with them.

The IAF has historically chosen many UK aircraft for its fleet, with India already having acquired the Hawk fast jet trainer. Their procurement of the Hawk has seen many IAF pilots training at RAF Valley as part of the deal.

The Exercise Indra Dhanush training has evolved from basic, simple air exercises to large scale force employment in a number of operational scenarios. Flt Lt David Griffiths, a pilot with 25 Squadron, said:

"It's been a fantastic experience, and not like anything I have done before - it is my first time working with another nation and it's the chance of a lifetime. It's been extremely challenging.

"We have been really working together and integrating crews from both nations onto each side. We have had to learn each other's terms and tactics and it has definitely been rewarding."

Wg Cdr A C Chopra added:

"We wanted to build on last year's exercise in India and we have been able to meet our objectives. We have flown in mixed formations and now have a degree of interoperability." (ends)

“Valorous MARS” Enhancing IAF's Strategic Presence

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued July 12, 2007)

When the Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguars flew to Alaska during their first overseas joint air exercise "Cope Thunder" in July '04, the newly inducted Ilyushin-78 MKI 'air-to-air' refuellers of the IAF heralded their acquired strategic reach capability.

This year, the six Su-30 MKIs that flew from Pune airbase in India to Royal Air Force (RAF) airbase at Waddington (UK), were also accompanied by two IL-78 MKIs of the 'Valorous MARS' (No. 78 Mid-Air-Refuelling Squadron) from Agra through their long ferry route. Despite the din and the excitement of the first-ever arrival of the formidable Su-30 MKIs at UK, the significant aspect of IAF's continued enhanced strategic reach capability, did not however go unnoticed.

"The IL-78 MKIs have been employed in five overseas assignment so far. These include Alaska, South Africa, France, Singapore and now UK," informed Group Captain K Raghavendra, Commanding Officer of the MARS.

"We would have loved the experience of tanking RAF fighters during the exercise that would have made inter-operability possible. We look forward to such an experience in the future," he added on RAF Tornadoes not having tanked with them during the exercise.

The six IAF Su-30 MKI fighters will have flown nearly 19,000 km each, tanked eight times and transferred nearly 225 tonnes of fuel mid-air in all, spread over 28 flying hours with stop-overs en route at Doha (Qatar) and Tanagra (Greece), both ways.

The Il-78 aircrew also visited RAF Brize Norton, the home to RAF VC-10 Tankers flown by 101 Squadron. Interestingly the RAF squadron is 90 years old. The aircrew had discussions on the procedures and tactics and found lot of common ground in the same. The VC-10 can uplift 70 tonnes of fuel in the air. For a similar route by the IL-78 involving two enroute landings from India to UK, VC-10s would have had to undertake three.

-ends-