The Indian Air Force will for the first time deploy its woman fighter pilot for an exercise abroad from January 12-26. It will also be the first ever air joint exercise named ‘Veer Guardian’ between India and Japan to enhance strategic and defence ties.
Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, a SU-30 MKI pilot, will be part of the contingent leaving for Japan on Sunday. Incidentally, she is also one of the three woman officers selected in 2016 for training to fly fighter jets. The other two are Bhavana Kanth and Mohana Singh.
Giving details of the upcoming, IAF officials said here on Saturday
it will be held at Hyakuri Air Base to promote air defence co-operation. The Indian contingent will include four Su-30 MKI fighter jets, two C-17 and one IL-78 transport aircraft, while Japan will deploy four F-2 and four F-15 aircraft.
During the second 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting held in Tokyo, Japan on Japan eight last year, both the countries agreed to step up bilateral defence cooperation and engage in more military exercises, including holding the first joint fighter jet drills, reflecting the growing security cooperation between the two sides. This exercise will thus be another step in deepening strategic ties and closer defence cooperation between the two countries.
The inaugural exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces. They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices, officials said.
Experts from both sides will also hold discussions to share their expertise on varied operational aspects. Exercise 'Veer Guardian' will fortify the longstanding bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces.