AIR FORCE COMPONENT OF EX INDRA 2019 SUCCESSFULLY CULMINATES IN PUNE
Pune, December 19, 2019: The Air Force component of Exercise INDRA 2019 successfully culminated on 19 December 2019 at Air Force Station Lohegaon, Pune. As part of this exercise the Indian armed forces and their Russian counterparts under took joint air, land and sea operations. The operations were conducted simultaneously at Pune, Goa and Gwalior for Air Force elements, at Babina for Indian Army and at Goa for Indian Navy.
The exercise provided operational exposure and an opportunity for mutual exchange of best practices towards enhancing operational capability of the IAF, synergizing joint operations and improving interoperability with Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) to operate under the UN mandate.
Several airborne and ground assets of the IAF were employed during the exercise namely Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), IL-76, AEW&C, AN-32, Mi-17V5, indigenously developed Air Defense system AKASH and Air Defence radars. Combined mission de-briefs were conducted after each mission.
The Russian Air Force contingent comprising of 80 personnel from various branches, interacted with their Indian counterparts and shared their branch specific work experience. The great camaraderie and esprit de corps between the participating personnel continued not only throughout the operations but also during social, cultural and sporting events.
The Closing Ceremony included an extensive exercise debrief during which the Chief Guest of the ceremony Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Lohegaon Pune, Air Commodore Rahul Bhasin VM extended his appreciation and congratulated all the participants on the successful completion of Ex INDRA 19.
