French Rafale fighter jets make strategic stopover in IAF base during Indo-Pacific deployment
The collaboration of France with the Indian Air Force demonstrated a high level of mutual trust and interoperability between the two sides.
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New Delhi, Aug 12: A French Air and Space Force contingent, including three Rafale jets made a strategically important stopover at the Indian Air Force’s Sulur base in Tamil Nadu as part of a massive military operation in the Pacific Ocean.
"A French Air and Space Force contingent, including three Rafale fighter jets, made a strategically important stopover at the Indian Air Force’s Sulur base in Tamil Nadu as part of a massive military operation in the Pacific Ocean. was hosted for a technical stopover at Air Force Station Sulur, India, on 10-11th August 2022 during a long-distance deployment from metropolitan France to the Pacific Ocean," a statement from France said.
According to statement, the collaboration with the Indian Air Force demonstrated a high level of mutual trust and interoperability between the two sides. From August 10 to September 18, the French Air and Space Force is conducting a major long-range mission in the Indo-Pacific code named as Pegase 22.
"The first stage of this mission aims to demonstrate France’s capacity for long-distance air power projection by deploying an Air Force contingent from metropolitan France to the French territory of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean in less than 72 hours (10th-12th August). To achieve this unprecedented 16,600-km deployment, the Air Force contingent made a technical stopover in India, at Air Force Station Sulur," it added.
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The contingent comprises three Rafale jets and support aircraft. "Landing at Air Force Station Sulur on 10th August evening, it flew out in the early hours of 11th August after refuelling, en route to New Caledonia. The operation demonstrated a high level of mutual trust and interoperability between the French and Indian Air Forces, which has been further boosted by the fact that both Air Forces now fly Rafale jets. It also illustrated the concrete implementation of the reciprocal logistics support agreement signed by France and India in 2018," it said.
Lauding the IAF’s role in this successful operation, the Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain, said, "France is a resident power of the Indo-Pacific, and this ambitious long-distance air power projection demonstrates our commitment to the region and our partners. It is only natural that to carry out this mission, we rely on India, our foremost strategic partner in Asia. My heartfelt thanks to the Indian Air Force for welcoming the French contingent."
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In the following stages of Mission Pégase 22, the French Air Force contingent will take part in the “Pitch Black” air exercise taking place in Australia from 17th August to 10th September. The Indian Air Force will also participate in this multilateral drill, along with Australia, Japan, United States, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, United Kingdom, and South Korea.
Mission Pégase 22 is a powerful demonstration of France’s capacity for quick deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The mission is also proof that the security situation in Europe has not diminished the French and European commitment in the Indo-Pacific. In this respect, it also aims to strengthen ties with key strategic partners, such as India, and underline France’s support for security and stability in the region.
