In a first, Indian Rafale jets to participate in multinational war-game in France

New Delhi: Indian Rafale fighter jets will take part in a war-game named Orion, which France is organising. Many of the NATO members and other important allies are participating in the exercise. 

As per the defence sources, this is for the first time that Indian Rafale combat aircraft will participate in such war-games outside India.  

Indian Rafale jets have participated in war-games with foreign countries which took place within India. Earlier, they took part in Ex-Desert Knight with French Air Force in Jodhpur.

They said, the jets will fly from the Western Air Command of the force to participate in the exercise. 

India received the last Rafale fighter jet from France on December 15, completing the delivery of all 36 aircraft which was a part of the deal between India and France.

Rafale combat jets are deployed in Haryana's Ambala and West Bengal's Hasimara air bases.

Orion is the biggest military exercises of France till date. The exercise is taking place with the Russia-Ukraine war in the backdrop where NATO led by US is opposing the Russian moves against Ukraine.

The first leg of the Orion 2023 war games started on 23 February and lasted until 11 March. The phase in which India will take part is scheduled from the third week of April to May 5. 

In this phase, the soldiers will simulate an air and land conflict with that powerful state, involving the deployment of up to 12,000 troops in northern France. It will involve land, sea, air and space components, including cyber warfare, as well as civilian operations in wartime, such as health services and transport.

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