The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed a battery of five MiG-29 fighter jets, six transport aircraft and a group of its special forces commandos at a 21-day multilateral war game in Egypt that began on Sunday.
The biennial tri-services exercise, Bright-Star 23, is taking place at Cairo (West) Air Base and the militaries of the US, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar besides of the host country and India are participating in the multilateral exercise, officials said.
It is for the first time that the IAF is participating in the exercise.
"The IAF contingent will consist of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft. Personnel from the IAF's Garud special forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 squadrons will be participating in the exercise," the IAF said in a statement
Around 150 personnel from the Indian Army are also part of the Indian contingent who was airlifted by the IAF. .
"The objective of the exercise is to practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations. IAF contingents to flying exercises abroad are thus no less than Diplomats in Flight Suits, " the IAF said in its statement.
"Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations," it said.
It said India and Egypt have had "exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook development of aero-engine and aircraft in 1960s and training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts."
The relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of strategic partnership during Egyptian President Abdeh Fattah El-Sisi's visit to India in January.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Egypt in June during which the two sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen their overall strategic partnership.
The defence and strategic cooperation between India and Egypt has been on an upswing in the last few years.
The Indian and Egyptian armies conducted the first ever joint exercise in January this year.
Egypt has already shown interest in procuring Tejas light combat aircraft, radars, military helicopters and other platforms from India.
In July last year, the IAF participated in a month-long tactical leadership programme in Egypt with three Su-30 MKI jets and two C-17 transport aircraft.
In September last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh undertook a three-day visit to Egypt.
“The relationship between the two civilizational countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by the Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and Indian Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt. The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their Armed Forces, “ reads the IAF statement adding,