The programme illustrated a high degree of professional trust between the two Air Forces


In a first of its kind interaction for both the air forces, the Fighter Weapon Schools of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) have recently completed a one-month long engagement with in Cairo.

This engagement, under the Tactical Leadership Programme of the EAF, was carried out through the entire month of July at the Egyptian Fighter Weapon School, located in Cairo West Air Force Base.

The Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) took part in the programme on behalf of the IAF with three Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft and six Combat Instructor Pilots, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.

The engagement saw a fruitful exchange of ideas in the domain of Large Force Engagements involving complex, multi-aircraft missions. During the interaction, IAF pilots flew alongside those of the EAF in missions of multiple complexities with the participants also sharing their experiences in the art and science of air combat, while also discussing their best practices.

The induction and de-induction involved flights of over six hours with mid-air refueling support from the IAF and UAE Air to Air refuellers, the defence ministry said.

"This programme, involving synergistic air operations, has illustrated a high degree of professional trust that has developed between the two Air Forces," the ministry noted.

The bond between the two Air Forces dates back to the 1960s, when Gp Capt Kapil Bhargava, an IAF Test Pilot, test flew the Egyptian prototype of the Helwan HA-300 with Test Pilots from the EAF. This was followed by Indian Qualified Flying Instructors training young Egyptian pilots - a programme that continued into the 1980s.