French Air Force Rafales make a technical stopover in IAF station Sulur

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A French Air and Space Force contingent, which included three Rafale jets, was hosted for a technical visit Air Force Station Sulur (Coimbatore) for a day on August 10 throughout a long-distance deployment from Metropolitan France to the Pacific Ocean.

“The French Air and Space Force is carrying a major long-range mission in the Indo Pacific, code-named Pegase 22 (between 10th to 18th August). The first stage of this mission aims to demonstrate France’s capacity for long-distance air power projection by deploying an Air Force contingent covering a distance of 16,600 km in less than 72 hours (from French territory to New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean),” stated a spokesperson of the French Embassy.

The contingent comprised three Rafale jets and assist plane, that landed at Indian Air Force’s Sulur airport on August tenth  and flew out on August eleventh after refuelling.

“France is a resident energy of the Indo-Pacific, and this bold long-distance air energy projection demonstrates our dedication to the area and our companions. It is barely pure that to hold out this mission, we depend on India, our foremost strategic companion in Asia. My heartfelt because of the Indian Air Force for welcoming the French contingent,” stated Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain.

Meanwhile, within the following phases of Mission Pégase 22, the French Air Force contingent will participate within the “Pitch Black” air train happening in Australia from seventeenth August to tenth September. The Indian Air Force may also take part on this multilateral drill, together with Australia, Japan, United States, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, United Kingdom, and South Korea.

“Mission Pégase 22 is a strong demonstration of France’s capability for fast deployment within the Indo-Pacific. The mission can also be proof that the safety state of affairs in Europe has not diminished the French and European dedication within the Indo-Pacific. In this respect, it additionally goals to strengthen ties with key strategic companions, reminiscent of India, and underline France’s assist for safety and stability within the area,’’ the spokesperson added.

The operation demonstrated a excessive degree of mutual belief and interoperability between the French and Indian Air Forces, which has been additional boosted by the truth that each Air Forces now fly Rafale jets. It additionally illustrated the concrete implementation of the reciprocal logistics assist settlement signed by France and India in 2018.

NEW DELHI: A French Air and Space Force contingent, which included three Rafale jets, was hosted for a technical visit Air Force Station Sulur (Coimbatore) for a day on August 10 throughout a long-distance deployment from Metropolitan France to the Pacific Ocean.

“The French Air and Space Force is carrying a major long-range mission in the Indo Pacific, code-named Pegase 22 (between 10th to 18th August). The first stage of this mission aims to demonstrate France’s capacity for long-distance air power projection by deploying an Air Force contingent covering a distance of 16,600 km in less than 72 hours (from French territory to New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean),” stated a spokesperson of the French Embassy.

The contingent comprised three Rafale jets and assist plane, that landed at Indian Air Force’s Sulur airport on August tenth  and flew out on August eleventh after refuelling.

“France is a resident energy of the Indo-Pacific, and this bold long-distance air energy projection demonstrates our dedication to the area and our companions. It is barely pure that to hold out this mission, we depend on India, our foremost strategic companion in Asia. My heartfelt because of the Indian Air Force for welcoming the French contingent,” stated Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain.

Meanwhile, within the following phases of Mission Pégase 22, the French Air Force contingent will participate within the “Pitch Black” air train happening in Australia from seventeenth August to tenth September. The Indian Air Force may also take part on this multilateral drill, together with Australia, Japan, United States, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, United Kingdom, and South Korea.

“Mission Pégase 22 is a strong demonstration of France’s capability for fast deployment within the Indo-Pacific. The mission can also be proof that the safety state of affairs in Europe has not diminished the French and European dedication within the Indo-Pacific. In this respect, it additionally goals to strengthen ties with key strategic companions, reminiscent of India, and underline France’s assist for safety and stability within the area,’’ the spokesperson added.

The operation demonstrated a excessive degree of mutual belief and interoperability between the French and Indian Air Forces, which has been additional boosted by the truth that each Air Forces now fly Rafale jets. It additionally illustrated the concrete implementation of the reciprocal logistics assist settlement signed by France and India in 2018.