Group Captain Praver Purohit (retd)
Even as the Indian Air Force (IAF) completes 91 years of glorious service to the nation this October 8, the long-standing belief amongst most of our citizens is that the IAF exists to only defend the skies. The larger and more strategic implications of air power are little understood, sadly even within the military and strategic community. While the offensive (and kinetic) element of air power has always held sway in our common understanding, the non-kinetic aspects have been largely understated. It is therefore not surprising that historically, ‘aerial diplomacy’ has not got the attention and importance it deserves in India’s engagement with the world.
However, the IAF has been cognizant of the value of aerial diplomacy as mentioned in its Basic Doctrine of 2012 and the latest version of 2022. Although international Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) and bilateral training to some foreign Air Forces has been part of our aerial diplomacy for long, the other important facet of aerial diplomacy, ie. international air exercises were missing till the beginning of this century. Over the last two decades, the IAF has steadily enhanced its participation in such exercises. 2023 has been quite eventful in this regard and international exercises kept the IAF busy, spreading its wings and stature.
The year began with Ex Veer Guardian-2023 at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan, held from 12 January to 26 January. IAF participated with four Su-30, two C-17 and one Il-78 (air-to-air refueler) aircraft, while the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) participated with four each F-2 (Japanese derivative of F-16) and F-15 fighters. This was the first time that IAF and JASDF fighter aircraft exercised together. A few days later, on 29 January, IAF exercised with the French Navy Carrier Strike Group (Charles De Gaulle) off our Western coast near Bombay High. IAF elements included six Su-30, one AWACS and one Il-78. The French Navy participated with six Rafale-M and a E2-C Hawkeye early warning aircraft. The third exercise of the year was Ex Desert Flag VIII at Al Dhafra air base in UAE. Held from 24 February to 20 March, Air Forces of India, UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, South Korea, and USA participated in this multilateral exercise. IAF fielded five Tejas and two C-17 aircraft. This marked the first occasion when Tejas participated in an international air exercise outside India. Ex Shinyuu Maitri on 01 and 02 March saw IAF participating with a C-17 along with JASDF C-2 transport aircraft at Komatsu, Japan. Even as IAF was exercising in Japan and UAE, another contingent was flying to the UK for Ex Cobra Warrior at Royal Air Force (RAF) base, Waddington. Cobra Warrior is a biannual exercise and is the largest air exercise conducted by RAF. Participating Air Forces included (besides IAF), Finland, Sweden, South Africa, USA, Singapore & UK. Conducted from 06 March to 24 March, IAF participated with five Mirage-2000, two C-17 and an Il-78. The other Air Forces employed Typhoon, F-16, and F-18 fighters. Interestingly, the period February/March saw IAF deploying its heavy lift transport fleet simultaneously, for three different international exercises from the UK in the West to Japan in the East.
Ex Cope India, held from 10-23 April at Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra witnessed the USAF deploying its B-1 bomber along with F-15. Japan was an observer in this exercise, indicating growing efforts to build understanding between these Quad partners in air operations. Once again, in an example of IAF’s reach, and ability to undertake diverse and multinational operations simultaneously, our contingent comprising four Rafale, two each C-17 and Il-78 were at Mont-de-Marsan, France for Ex Orion hosted by French Air and Space Force (FASF) from 17 April to 05 May. This was the first overseas exercise for IAF Rafale. The other participating countries were Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and USA. About 2000 kilometers to the East/South-East of Mont-de-Marsan, the Hellenic Air Force (Greece) hosted IAF for Ex INIOCHOS-23 at their Andravida air base from 24 April to 04 May. Su-30 and C-17 aircraft of IAF exercised alongside Air Forces of Greece, France, Cyprus, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, USA, Austria, and Canada. The variety of aircraft included Tornado, Rafale, F-15, F-16, and EF-18. IAF made its debut in Ex Bright Star-23 held at Cairo Air Base, Egypt from 27 August to 16 September. Ex Bright Star is a biennial exercise that began between the USA and Egypt in 1980. It has since grown into a tri-service, multilateral joint exercise. IAF assets that participated included five MiG-29, two Il-78, two C-130 and two C-17, besides Garud special forces. Participating countries included the USA, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Greece.
Although there was a brief break in international air exercises from May to July, the overseas engagement of IAF had not stopped during this period. An IAF contingent, led by a woman helicopter pilot participated in the Bastille Day Parade at Paris on 14 July. Overhead, IAF Rafale aircraft flew in perfect formation with their French counterparts. It was indeed an historic occasion for IAF. In the same month, the IAF band performed at the Astana Music Festival in Kazakhstan, enthralling audiences. The IAF’s superlative skills in responding to HADR were once again evident this year. Early this year, in ‘Operation Dost’, IAF airlifted men and relief material into earthquake affected parts of Türkiye and Syria. The IAF role in ‘Operation Kaveri’, to rescue our citizens from conflict ridden Sudan, earned accolades from all and made the world look at India with respect and admiration.
In continuation of the increasing importance of aerial diplomacy, IAF will host a multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ next year. Although a relatively late entrant in international air exercises, creditably IAF has quickly learnt, adapted, and excelled. Tactically, the exercises have enabled imbibing best practices, operate in a diverse & complex multi-domain environment, enhance synergy and interoperability. They have exposed our aircrew to operate in near realistic combat scenarios involving multiple types of air and surface assets. However, the strategic connotations of IAF participation are more significant. IAF participation in such exercises has helped strengthen and deepen strategic ties. These exercises have shown the world our ability to simultaneously operate in different parts of the globe. The professionalism and capability of IAF gives confidence and assurance to our friends. Through these exercises, IAF strategically signals adversaries against messing with us. IAF’s aerial diplomacy is the soft power version of force and power projection. It is a demonstration of our influence and resolve to further our national interests. Notably, IAF has been the harbinger of a modern, confident, and capable India. Its air warriors have been true diplomats, albeit in flight suits. In doing so, they have enhanced India’s power and prestige globally. This Air Force Day, let us all rejoice as our air warriors, ‘Touch the Sky with Glory.’
The author served in the IAF for over 32 years.
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