Exercise Orion

In News

  • Indian Rafale combat aircraft are set to participate in a multinational wargame codenamed Orion, which is being hosted by France at Mont-de-Marsan, an Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force (FASF).

Do you know?

  • The Indian Air Force has previously participated in wargames with foreign countries, including ones with the French Air Force in Jodhpur codenamed Desert Knight.
  • Exercise Cope India 23, a bilateral Air Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) is being held at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda and Agra.

Exercise Orion

  • About: 
    • It is a multinational exercise hosted by the French government.
    • The backdrop of this excercise is the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, where NATO led by the US is opposing Russian moves against Ukraine.
    • It is reportedly the largest ever multinational exercise being carried out by the French defense forces which have involved their Army, Navy and Air Force.
    • Exercise Orion  would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF’s Rafale aircraft.
  • Participation:
    • It involves many of France’s NATO and other important allies like Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and the United States of America.

Significance

  • It highlights the growing importance of India in the international arena and its close ties with key allies such as France.
  • The participation of Indian Rafales in multinational wargames helps in improving their capabilities and also in enhancing the interoperability of Indian forces with their foreign counterparts.
  • Participation in this exercise would further enrich the employment philosophy of the India Air Force, by imbibing the best practices from other Air Forces.

Source: FE

 
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