The Indian Air Force conducted a drill in the Indian Ocean Region in which four Rafale fighter jets outmanoeuvred hostile warplanes to launch weapons at their target.
“Four IAF Rafales flew a long-range mission for over six hours into the IOR. The aircraft “fought” through a large force engagement en route to their Weapon Release Point,” Indian Air Force stated.
The exercise was carried out a few days ago but the IAF released the information now.
The exercise is seen as very important in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Ocean serves as a strategic bridge with the nations in India’s immediate and extended maritime neighbourhood. The national and economic interests of India are inseparably linked with the Indian Ocean.
The role of India in the region is evident in its vision of ‘SAGAR ‘, which means ocean and stands for “Security and Growth for all in the region”.
Furthermore, China has increased its presence and activities in the area to protect the large volume of trade that occurs there.
The six-hour mission included mid-air refuelling of the Rafales, which significantly increased the IAF’s capabilities.
India signed a government-to-government agreement with France for the Rafale jets, and all of them have joined the Indian Air Force.
The Rafale fighter aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2020, just a few months after the standoff with China began, and it was quickly operationalized.
