India, Singapore To Hold Joint Air Force Exercise From 11 Oct
Report by Gautam Datt: "Singapore F-16s arrive for war games with IAF"
Originally published on 10/10/2004 by Delhi The Asian Age (Internet Version-WWW) in English
[FBIS Transcribed Text]
New Delhi, Oct. 9: Six F-16 fighters of the Singapore Air Force have arrived at the Gwalior airbase in Madhya Pradesh for holding a joint exercise
with the Indian Air Force [IAF]. This is the first time IAF pilots will get a chance to practice war manoeuvres along with the F-16s. The two Air
Forces have begun preparations for the exercise that begins on October 11 and will continue till October 27. Officials said that apart from the six
F-16 C/D fighting Falcons, the Singapore Air Force team has also come with the KC-135R refueller and transporter. The exercise, named Ankush, will
involve combat moves. The F-16s will be challenged by the Indian fighters. India has decided to pitch in all aircraft types in its inventory excluding
the MiG-25s.
This is the second big exercise to be held in Gwalior this year. The US Air Force had come to the base in February this year with their F-15 Eagle.
The Indian fighters had given a tough time to the US F-15s and defeated them in the war games. The French Air Force also took part in the exercise at
Gwalior last year.
While the IAF has had the experience of staging war manoeuvres against the USAF's F-15 Eagle, it will now get a chance to try out its skills against
the F-16s which are flown also by the Pakistan Air Force.
Officials said the exercise is part of the IAF's effort to broaden its horizon. IAF jets last month returned from Alaska after taking part in a
multi-national exercise where many Nato countries showed their skills. The team comprised six Jaguars and an IL-78 refueller. A fleet of Indian
Mirages has just returned after holding a joint exercise with the South African Air Force. As far as the Singapore Air Force is concerned, it had sent
six fighters to France in September for a joint military exercise. The Singapore-French operation, codenamed Exercise Western Arc, ended on October 4.
At Gwalior, briefings for the pilots have started in preparation for the joint exercise.
While the main exercise is likely to be held at the Gwalior air base, the RSAF, according to defence ministry sources, may also get the nod to test
their prowess at Pokharan range near Jaisalmer.
Source :
worldnews.xignite.com...
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AWACS, F-16s to take on IAF in joint exercises
The IAF is also keen on the participation of the F-16, the main combat aircraft in the Pakistan Air Force�s fleet, during the exercises. India, with
its MiG-29 air defence aircraft and multi-role Mirage-2000 and the SU-30 MKI, has been keen to take on the F-16 and learn from operational
capabilities under simulated conditions. Similarly, AWACS, with its ability to provide early warning as well as serve as command post in the air, has
been high on the IAF�s agenda.
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Another article form
www.centralchronicle.com...
NEW DELHI: Six F-16 fighters of the Singapore Air Force today commenced joint exercises with the Indian Air Force-- allowing the IAF an opportunity to
practice war manoeuvres along with the F-16s for the first time.
The two air forces will for the first time conduct the `Ankush' defensive offensive air exercises till October 27 in the skies over Gwalior,
Kalaikunda (West Bengal) and Pokhran (Rajasthan) in which the IAF has decided to pitch in all aircraft in its inventory -- save the MiG-25s.
According to an IAF spokesperson here, the Singapore Air Force have arrived with 6 F-16 fighting falcons, a KC-135R refueller and a C-130 Hercules
transporter to conduct the second such exercise this year from Gwalior IAF base. The US Air Force had come to this base in February last with their
F-15 Eagles.
And after having successfully taken on the US-flown Eagles, the IAF air warriors will now get a chance to test their skills against the Singaporean
F-16s--flown also by the Pakistan Air Force.
The Singapore airmen had only last month taken part in a joint military exercise in France where the air forces of the two countries engaged in air
combat and air-to-air flying manoeuvres in `exercise western arc' from September 20 to October 4.
According to Singapore's ministry of defense, the exercise will give Singapore's Air Force ``a valuable opportunity to conduct air operations in
realistic and challenging conditions''.
Marking another milestone in the growing defence cooperation between India and Singapore, the exercise will also help enhance inter-operability and
mutual understanding between the two Air Forces, the ministry said.
The island city-state has limited air space--as well as territory--and under a recent defence cooperation agreement, its defence forces will be able
to conduct military manoeuvres here jointly with the Indian Armed Forces.