Page 23 - ADT JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2023 Online Magazine

 TRAINING

© India MoD
IN TRAINING MODE

INDIA’S MILITARY IS RAMPING UP The joint training took place over 16 days and
according to an IAF spokesperson, both air
TRAINING ENGAGEMENTS WITH forces engaged in complex and comprehensive

FOREIGN MILITARIES aerial manoeuvres in multiple simulated opera-
tional scenarios. “The IAF and JASDF engaged
in air combat manoeuvring, interception and
 ATUL CHANDRA air defence missions, both in visual and beyond
visual range settings. aircrew of the two partici-
India’s armed forces, which are some of the most combat proven and pating air forces also flew in each other’s fighter
battle hardened in the region, are increasing their training exercises aircraft to gain a deeper understanding of each
with foreign militaries. The increase in bilateral defence cooperation other’s operating philosophies,” the spokesper-
with other nations reflects the growing cooperation between India son said.
and its security partners, deepening strategic ties and enhanc-
ing defence cooperation. In January alone, India’s armed forces EXERCISE CYCLONE-I
conducted training exercises with French, Egyptian and Japanese
forces, while in the last two months of 2022, Indian forces conducted The Indian Army and Egyptian Army special
training exercises with the armed forces of Singapore, Indonesia, forces (SF) units recently trained together for
Kazakhstan and Nepal. the first time in the inaugural edition of “Exercise
Cyclone-I” at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. “The joint
EX VEER GUARDIAN 2023 exercise would provide an insight into the culture

One of the most important and recent training interactions was the and ethos of both armies thereby fostering mil-
itary cooperation and interoperability to further
inaugural edition of the bilateral air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ strengthen the diplomatic relations between
between the Indian air force (IAF) and Japan air self defence force India and Egypt,” an MoD spokesperson said.
(JASDF). India and Japan had agreed to step up bilateral defence
cooperation and engage in more military exercises, including hold- Over the course of the exercises, SF units from
ing the first joint fighter jet drills, during the second 2+2 Foreign and both nations shared their professional skills and
Defence Ministerial meeting held in Tokyo, Japan in September last worked on interoperability while operating in
year. desert terrain while undertaking counter ter-
rorism, reconnaissance, raids and other special
The exercises held in Japan concluded on January 27. The IAF con- operations. The units also trained together
tingent involved four SU-30 MKIs, supported by one IL-78 tanker and on sniping, combat free fall, reconnaissance,
two C-17 Globemaster strategic airlift transport aircraft. The JASDF surveillance and target designation, sharing
participated in the exercise with four F-2s and four F-15 aircraft. of information on weapons, equipment, inno-
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023 | 23