Antony supports IAFs plan to participate in Red Flag exercise

A day after Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal F H Major announced IAFs plan to participate in the Red Flag-Nellis exercise carried out by the US for its NATO allies, Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday defended it saying, If such exercises are highly essential to test the preparedness of the armed forces, the government does give its approval.

New Delhi, Oct 6 : A day after Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal F H Major announced IAF's plan to participate in the Red Flag-Nellis exercise carried out by the US for its NATO allies, Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday defended it saying, "If such exercises are highly essential to test the preparedness of the armed forces, the government does give its approval."

"There is nothing new in holding or participating in such exercises as it gives an opportunity to the country's forces to get acquainted with advanced technology, weapons system and platform," he added in defence of the country's armed forces for taking part in multilateral and bilateral exercises.

The Red Flag exercises, held periodically at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in the US, since the Vietnam War, are very realistic aerial war games with the purpose to give pilots from the US, NATO and other allied countries an opportunity to practice and refine their skills for real combat situations.

The IAF has been regularly participating in joint air exercises with countries like the US, the UK and France. In 2005, IAF took part in one joint exercise with the US and in 2004, there were two joint exercises with the US Air Force.

In October 2006, Indian and British Air Forces jointly participated in air exercise in Agra in India, followed by the recent joint exercise by the air forces of the two countries in the UK this year.

ANI