Ex-AVIAINDRA, a service-specific exercise between Indian Air Force and Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFSAF), is underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The exercise is scheduled from December 10 to December 21, 2018. The inaugural IAF-RFSAF Ex AVIAINDRA was conducted in 2014. AVIAINDRA-2018 is the second in a series of bilateral joint exercises between IAF and RFSAF.
Planned in two phases, the exercise is unique wherein the foreign participant does not bring its air assets. In Russia, the IAF pilots flew alongside their Russian counterparts in RFSAF aircraft at Lipetsk from September 17, 2018, to September 28, 2018. In India, the RFSAF pilots will fly alongside their Indian counterparts in the IAF aircraft, which are common to both the Air Forces.
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, visited Air Force Station Jodhpur on December 19, 2018, to review and interact with the participating forces of the ongoing Ex AVIAINDRA 2018. Chief of the Air Staff was received by Air Commodore Philip Thomas Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
The second edition of Ex AVIAINDRA is aimed at exposing RFASF and IAF pilots to single/multi-aircraft missions in a Counter-Terrorism Scenario within a predefined scope. The 30 member RFASF contingent comprises of the fighter, transport, and helicopter pilots.
The Chief of the Air Staff was briefed about various phases of the exercise and was apprised of its progress thus far. Post-briefing, Chief of the Air Staff visited the RFASF and IAF detachments wherein he interacted with the personnel of both the Air Forces.
During the interaction, Chief of the Air Staff welcomed RFASF team and emphasized the importance of joint exercises as they create an environment of camaraderie and provide an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices. He spoke about the long-standing military partnership between RFASF and IAF and the common equipment that both the nations operate. He complimented the efficacy of the Russian equipment as it has played a pivotal role during various IAF air campaigns.
EX-AVIAINDRA is a testimony of the Indo-Russian Military relationship and would enhance mutual cooperation and understanding between IAF and RFASF.
(The writer is a Delhi-based independent contributor to print and online publications)