Indian Air Force participates in Egypt's Exercise Bright Star-23 for the first time

Tags: Defence

The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the biennial multilateral tri-services exercise Bright Star-23 held at Cairo Air Base in Egypt.

An Overview of the News

• Bright Star-23 exercise will take place from 27 August to 16 September 2023.

• The participating countries in the biennial multilateral tri-services exercise Bright Star-23 include the United States, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Qatar, and India.

• IAF transport aircraft will airlift around 150 Indian Army personnel.

• The main goal of the exercise is to enhance joint operational planning and execution.

• India and Egypt have long-standing ties, having collaborated on aero-engine and aircraft development in the 1960s.

The IAF Contingent Included:

• Five MiG-29 aircraft

• Two IL-78 tanker aircraft

• Two C-130 transport aircraft

• Two C-17 transport aircraft

• The Garuda Special Forces and personnel from Squadrons 28, 77, 78, and 81 of the Indian Air Force are part of the contingent.

About Indian Air Force

• The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932.

• Before independence, it was known as the Royal Indian Air Force.

• The Indian Air Force has been ranked third in the World Air Power Index 2022, behind the US and Russia.

• Headquarters- New Delhi

• Air Force Chief- Vivek Ram Chaudhary.