The Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (Armee De L’Air & De L’Espace) are training together in the 'Garuda VIl'  bilateral exercise being held in India. 

Garuda VIl is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur and concludes on November 12. 

The Armee De L’Air & De L’Espace is participating with a contingent of 220 personnel and has brought four Rafale fighter jets and one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to the exercises. 

Garuda VIl features the maiden participation of the new Indian Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) which was inducted into service, earlier this month. IAF fighter Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas Mk-1 and Sepecat Jaguar fighter aircraft are participating in the exercises. The IAF’s IL-78 mid-air tankers, Beriev A-50 AWACS and indigenously developed ‘Netra’ AEW&C aircraft are also part of the exercises.   

The IAF was the host for the first, third and fifth editions of the exercises, which were held at Air Force Stations Gwalior, Kalaikunda and Jodhpur, in 2003, 2006 and 2014 respectively. The Armee De L’Air & De L’Espace was the host for the second, fourth and sixth editions which were held in France in 2005, 2010 and 2019.