Thaindian News

Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) The final phase of India-Britain joint air exercise - Indradhanush - began Thursday at Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district with increased number of launches, said an official.

“The first phase of the joint exercise between the Indian Air Force and the British Royal Air Force started Oct 18. In the second phase, flying missions commenced two days later with the aim to enhance mutual operational understanding and refine the procedures,” a defence ministry spokesperson Wing Commander Mahesh Upasani said here.

The joint exercise would continue till Nov 3, the spokesperson said.

“So far, over 120 missions of the exercise have already been flown successfully, achieving the mission objectives,” Upasani said.

This was the first time that the RAF’s E3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Typhoon aircraft participated in a joint exercise in India, he said.

Upasani said in the final phase of the exercise, a large number of aircraft in offensive and defensive roles were expected to be launched in a limited airspace.

“The AWACS of both the air forces would be launched and a large number of aircraft will manoeuvre in a limited airspace, where the skills of both fighter pilots and the controllers would be put to test,” he said.