Exercise
"Garuda IV"
कूर्म-व्यायाम
The sunny Mediterranean coast of southern France in July, Indian Air Force Sukhoi SU-30MKI's and Singapore Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcons conducting an exercise with the Armee de L'Air's Mirage 2000 and Dassault Rafale fighters. Too good to miss we thought! So having made up our minds that we couldn't miss it, Jetwash Aviation Photo's set up camp in Marseille to take advantage of this great opportunity to photograph the Indian 'Flankers' again and our first opportunity to photograph RSAF "Vipers".
History: The first Garuda exercise between the French and Indian Air Forces took place in February 2003 at Gwalior, when the Armee de L'Air took their Dassault Mirage 2000's to India. This was then followed by Garuda II in June 2005 at the French air base of Istres, with the Indian Air Force providing six Sukhoi SU-30K's, the first time these aircraft had ventured onto foreign soil. Garuda III then followed in February 2007, taking place once again back in India at Kalaikunda.
The Indian Air Force "Garuda IV Team'' during the send off ceremony at AFS Bareilly prior to departure on 7th June 2010. (courtesy of Indian Air Force)
Between June 14th and 25th 2010 Base Aerienne 125 Istres-Le-Tube saw the arrival of the mighty SU-30 once again, this time in the shape of the more potent Sukhoi SU-30MKI, which arrived at Istres for Garuda IV. This was not the first time however that the powerful SU-30MKI had graced European skies as in 2007 six aircraft had visited the U.K to participate in Exercise Indra Dhanush at RAF Waddington. A senior Indian Air Force official was quoted as saying “The exercise will help to further enhance interoperability between the Indian and French Air Forces, since pilots as well as the ground crew will get to see each others operational, technical and administrative practices from close quarters.” He went on to say "Joint exercises of this nature enhance mutual operational understanding and refines the procedural aspects and provides a tremendous learning experience for all the participating air forces"
The Sukhoi SU-30MKI's that arrived at Istres from 8 Squadron, departed the Central Air Command base at Air Force Station Bareilly on the afternoon of 7th June led by Group Captain J. Mishra. The fighter and tanker aircraft involved re-positioned to Ahmedabad and the contingent arrived there on 8th June. The launch sequence from Ahmedabad was in three cells consisting of an IL-78MKI (callsign Astra) with two Su-30MKI in Cell1, an IL-78MKI (callsign Titan) with two Su-30MKI in Cell 2, and a third IL-78MKI (callsign PLUTO) with two Su-30MKI forming the final cell. The IL-76MD (callsign Atlas) carrying the spares and ground support equipment had already proceeded to Luxor via Muscat, Oman on 10th June. The fighter contingent set off from Ahmedabad on 9th June, with the first cell taking off as per plan at 0500h, followed by the remaining two cells - with a gap of 30 minutes between each one. ASTRA had a minor problem en-route with the left drogue and the refueling was therefore carried out using a single line. Barring this minor hiccup, all other refueling activities progressed smoothly and the entire contingent landed safely at Luxor Air base between 0908h and 1015h local later that day.
The departure from Luxor was also executed flawlessly with the re-configured cells consisting of three Su-30MKI and one IL-78MKI tanker (ASTRA and TITAN). The third IL-78MKI tanker(PLUTO) returned back to India. The departure from Luxor was uneventful and the entire contingent including the IL-76MD got airborne commencing 0600h (Local Time) on 11the June. The refueling en-route progressed smoothly, with a second planned RV with a French Air Force Boeing KC-135R tanker also progressing succesfully. The contingent finally arrived at Istres at 1030h (Local Time), with the last aircraft, the IL-76MD landing at 1215 h (Local Time).
Seen right is a French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000F-5 taxying past an Indian Air Force Ilyushin IL-78MKI at Istres Air Base during exercise Garuda IV.
Sukhoi SU-30MKI serial SB 303 is seen over BA.125 Istres during the first week of Exercise Garuda IV
One of the latest Indian built Sukhoi SU-30's is serial SB 305.
It is believed to be a SU-30MKI-3, although some doubt remains due to the 'Out of Sequence' serial number carried.
Sukhoi SU-30MKI serial SB 058 from 8 Sqn Indian Air Force is seen over Orange Air Base during Exercise Garuda IV
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the IAF's primary air superiority fighter. The two-seat multi-role aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.35 and a surface ceiling of 20,000 metres. With one mid-air refueling, it can travel as far as 8000 km, also making it a suitable platform to deliver strategic weapons. Although not initially designed to carry nuclear or strategic weapons, the Indian Air Force expects to upgrade some SU-30MKIs with new radars, onboard computers, electronic warfare systems and the capability tocarry the BrahMos cruise missile by 2012. There are also plans to integrate the nuclear-capable Nirbhay missile with the aircraft. Current procurement plans for the IAF is for two hundred and thirty Sukhoi-30MKI's, many being supplied in kit form and assembled by HAL Aircraft Industries.
As mentioned above, two Indian Air Force Ilyushin IL-78MKI's took part in Garuda IV.
Both aircraft were based at Istres and comprised RK-3450 and RK-3451 (above) which are both operated by 78 Squadron
During the exercise, the six IAF SU-30MKI along with French Mirage 2000-5's and Rafale's and the Singapore F-16's were engaged in various air defence manoeuvres such as implementation of "no fly zones" and large force engagements during day and night. The SU-30 also took part in high value air borne asset protection as well as their protection busting missions. The Indian IL-78MKI and the KC-135R refuellers of the Singapore & French Air Forces also participated in various missions carrying out cross refuelling (refuelling the fighters of the other air forces).
A unique feature to which the SU-30 were subjected was the "swing roles". In which missions with the same aircraft are simultaneously put to offensive as well as defensive roles, with Boeing E-3 AWACS provided the radar coverage during the exercise. Air Marshal Nowhar of the IAF, who visited the contingent involved in Garuda IV said - " Our participation in the exercise has reinforced the manner in which we conduct our operations and has also helped us refine our doctrine. In the future, there is a slim chance that a country would operate in isolation especially in a co-operative defence scenario. Thus knowing each other’s best practices in terms of tactics, techniques and procedures is the main objective of this exercise, which is also a part of the ongoing Indo-French Defence Co-operation".
According to the Air Attache of Indian Embassy in France, Air Commodore S.K. Ghotia who is also the chief co-ordinator of the IAF/FAF co-operation, Garuda IV is a
milestone in the Indo-French defence co-operation. 'This has been the widest scope ever accomplished between three nations. The Ex brought together the best fighting machines of the world such as the Sukhoi's, F16s, Rafale and Mirage 2000-5. Our pilots flew in these cockpits and have gained a tremendous learning experience. The engineers, technicians and all other members of the team have also benefitted substantially from the exercise. The intensity of the exercise has been increased gradually to enhance the understanding of the contingent members begining with basic one-v-one missions and limited BVR (beyond visual range) capabilities, and then progressed to multi-aircraft strikes and counter air missions with complete BVR capability, and concluding with Large Force Engagement sorties'
Republic of Singapore Air Force
Also taking part in a Garuda exercise for the first time was the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with their Block 52 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons. The aircraft involved were drawn from 145 Squadron "Hornets" based at Changi (East) and as with the Indian Air Force Flankers the RSAF brought six aircraft to French airspace for the exercise, basing their aircraft some 90 Kilometres North of Istres at BA.115 Orange-Caritat, home of Groupe de Chasse 005 and their Dassault Mirage 2000-5F's.
The RSAF Fighting Falcons'routed to Orange-Caritat Air Base via Bangalore India where they were seen on 7th June, with support being provided by two Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers to provide aerial refuelling, along with two Lockheed C-130H Hercules transports. The KC-135R's from 112 Squadron landed at Istres, whilst the C-130H's from 122 Squadron also used Orange, with both departing by Monday the 14th June.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nalpon Patrick Selvan, the detachment commander for Exercise Garuda 2010 this year's exercise involves many firsts for the RSAF. For example, this is the RSAF's maiden participation in a Garuda exercise, said LTC Patrick, who is also Commanding Officer of 145 Squadron. 'Our participation in Exercise Garuda allows us to interact with the French and Indian Air Forces on all facets of operations, from the logistics to flying'.
Flying from Singapore, with stops made in India and Qatar, LTC Patrick pointed out that the last leg from Qatar to France took about eight hours. That was another first for the F-16D pilots, who previously had only flown for about six hours at a stretch. Participating in night flying operations as part of Exercise Garuda also translated into another milestone for the RSAF team. It was the first time the RSAF F-16D's had conducted night operations over European air space. Said LTC Patrick: 'Besides facing environmental conditions that are different from what we are used to, we also had to adapt to different runway procedures...It's a phenomenal step for us. It also shows our true multi-role capabilities and that we are able to operate seamlessly in day and in the night operations'.
Summing up the significance of the RSAF's participation in the exercise, LTC Patrick said: "For the aircrew and ground crew, the experiences that they have shared with the other two air forces during the exercise is priceless'" adding, "Achieving so many firsts for this exercise really makes it a once in a lifetime experience, it's something many of us will cherish for a long time".
Singapore F-16D's 661 & 662 from 145 Squadron are seen landing at Orange during Garuda IV
Note the conformal fuel tanks clearly visible above the wings
The Republic of Singapore Air Force currently operates seventy F-16 Fighting Falcons, sixty-two of which are the advanced F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft. These are equiped with state-of the-art armament, including AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-88 HARM and probably the Israeli Python 4 missile linked to a DASH-3 Helmet Mounted Sight. The aircraft used in Garuda IV were delivered under 'Peace Carvin IV' and are equipped with the extended spine to accommodate an extensive ECM-suite, which is rumored to house the SPS-3000 EW suite.
It is also believed that the Israeli's have provided the RSAF with a first batch of short-range IR-guided Python 4 missiles. Recent pictures have shown RSAF "Vipers" flying with the DASH-3 Head Mounted Display System (HMDS) integration sensors attached to the canopy. DASH-3 is essential to exploit the full potential of the Python 4, however the presence of the DASH-3 sensors does not confirm the availability of Python 4 missiles as they can be fired without the HMDS and DASH-3 can be employed to slave quite a number of other sensors (FCR, TGP, etc.) to the pilot's sight.
Singapore Air Force F-16D serial 662 is seen landing at Orange-Caritat after a mission during Exercise Garuda IV
As with the Indian IL-78 tanker's the Singapore KC-135 aircraft that stayed throughout the exercise was based at Istres.
Two such aircraft from 112 Squadron escorted the F-16's to France.
The Singapore Air Force operate a total of four ex-USAF Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft, all of which are operated by 112 Squadron at Changi. They achieved Initial Operational Capability in December 2000. The KC-135R's are equipped with the Multi-Point Refuelling System (MPRS) in addition to the standard refuelling boom of a USAF aircraft. This permits the tanker to provide air-to-air refuelling for all types of fighter aircraft in the RSAF. This allows the RSAF to conduct its training overseas more efficiently as mid-air refuelling reduces the need for the aircraft to stop en route as often as it would have done in the past. The KC-135R's can also be configured to undertake aero-medical evacuation and airlift missions to provide logistics support of overseas deployments and training exercises.
662 departs Orange on 14th June on its first mission since arriving.
Aircraft involved in Exercise Garuda
661 F-16D 145 Sqn RSAF
662 F-16D 145 Sqn RSAF
669 F-16D 145 Sqn RSAF
674 F-16D 145 Sqn RSAF
678 F-16D 145 Sqn RSAF
679 F-16D 145 Sqn RSAF
750 KC-135R 112 Sqn RSAF
753 KC-135R 112 Sqn RSAF
731 C-130H 122 Sqn RSAF
732 C-130H 122 Sqn RSAF
RK-3450 IL-78MKI 78 Sqn IAF
RK-3451 IL-78MKI 78 Sqn IAF
RK-???? IL-78MKI 78 Sqn IAF
K2879/H IL-76MD 44 Sqn IAF
SB 058 SU-30MKI 8 Sqn IAF
SB 060 SU-30MKI 8 Sqn IAF
SB 303 SU-30MKI 8 Sqn IAF
SB 304 SU-30MKI 8 Sqn IAF
SB 305 SU-30MKI 8 Sqn IAF
SB 309 SU-30MKI 8 Sqn IAF