New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an in-situ exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in the Indian Ocean Region, strengthening military cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries.
The bilateral engagement was executed as an air combat training exercise, featuring Su-30MKI multirole fighters from the IAF and SAAB Gripen jets from the RTAF. Extended-range operations by the IAF aircraft over the maritime domain were supported by IAF IL-78 mid-air refuelling tankers.
The exercise was conducted under the enhanced surveillance and command capabilities of the IAF’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and the Ground Control Interception (GCI) elements of the RTAF.
The participating IAF forces operated from airbases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while the Thai Gripens operated from airbases in Thailand.
The exercise was designed to demonstrate the IAF’s operational reach as well as its interoperability with a friendly foreign country in the Indian Ocean Region. It provided valuable operational exposure to the participating forces and facilitated the exchange of best practices between the IAF and the RTAF.
The exercise reflects the deepening “Act East” partnership between India and Thailand, which is now expanding into the aerospace domain.DD