IAF fleet in UK for joint exercise with RAF

LONDON: A contingent of the Indian Air Force has arrived at Royal Air Force Waddington airbase in Lincolnshire to participate in the first ever joint exercise in British airspace called 'Ex-Indra Dhanush-07'.

The touchdown by the first IAF Su-30 MKI (Flanker-H) air superiority fighter yesterday morning marked a historic chapter on the 75th anniversary year of the IAF, a official spokesman of the force said.

"It invigorates the growing defence cooperation between the two air forces," he said.

The fighters arrived in two separate waves trailing the two IL-78 fuel-tankers in a formation of three each, all-along from Tanagra in Greece.

The lead IL-78 MKI of the 'Titan' formation was led by Group Captain K Raghavendra with the three Su-30 MKI's in tow that were captained by Group Captain Girish Saini, Team leader of the IAF contingent, Wing Commander A K Bharti, Commanding Officer of the No.30 Squadron and Wing Commander H Assudani.

Wing Commander N Kharkar led the second wave 'Plut' formation that landed 45 minutes later. The Su-30 MKIs in the formation were led by Wing Commander Asit Kumar, Squadron Leaders S V Munje and Nitin Jain.

"This is undoubtedly history in the making", remarked Air Commodore PP Reddy, IAF's Air Attache at the High Commission of India in London.

A total of 18 fighter pilots and two flight navigators who will also double-up as Weapon Systems Operator will be flying the Su-30 MKIs during the exercises.

At the weekend air show at Waddington, IAF Su-30 MKIs and IL-78 are slated to participate and are major attractions already.