First 'Combat' Experience Outside India: IAF's Rafales Set To Participate In Orion Multilateral Exercise In France

The Indian Air Force Dassault Rafale will fly to France for the first time to take part in a multilateral air exercise, Codename Orion, at the French Air Base, Mont-de-Marsan tomorrow (15 April).

The IAF will be sending a contingent of four French-made Dassault Rafales, two C-17 Globemaster-III heavy-lift aircraft, two Ilyushin IL-78 refueller aircraft and 165 air warriors, a statement released by the government said.

The exercise will be held from 17 April to 5 May 2023 and will help the Indian Air Force further enrich employment philosophy by imbibing the best practices from other air forces.

Air forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States will also participate in the exercise.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force, is also training with the United States Air Force in Cope India 2023 bilateral air exercises. The Cope India exercise started from 10 April and will be held at Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda and Agra Air Force stations.