IAF joins France for Garuda 25 amid intensifying global air power dynamics
New Delhi, November 15. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed a frontline contingent to France for Garuda 25, the latest edition of the bilateral air exercise with the French Air and Space Force (FASF), scheduled from November 16 to 27, 2025, at the Mont-de-Marsan Air Base. This marks the eighth iteration of one of India’s longest-running air exercises with a Western partner, coming at a time when air power cooperation has gained heightened relevance amid shifting geopolitical alignments.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, an IAF team, equipped with Su-30MKI multirole fighters, reached France on November 10. The aircraft were ferried with strategic lift support from the C-17 Globemaster III, which is handling both induction and de-induction logistics. The deployment is further backed by IL-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft, enabling extended-range missions and allowing the fighters to participate in long-duration manoeuvres alongside their French counterparts.
Across nearly two weeks of training, IAF Su-30MKIs will fly with French multirole fighters in advanced, simulated combat environments, designed to replicate modern-day air warfare. The drills focus on a wide spectrum of missions – air-to-air engagements, integrated air defence operations, and coordinated strike scenarios – reflecting the complex threat landscape that both nations face as Indo-Pacific and European theatres see rapidly evolving security challenges.
The exercise is aimed at honing tactics, sharpening operational synergy, and improving the ability of both air forces to function seamlessly in joint missions. The combination of India’s heavy fighters and France’s combat platforms offers a valuable opportunity to validate procedures in realistic, contested settings.
Beyond the flying activity, Garuda 25 provides a platform for professional exchanges and doctrinal discussions, enabling pilots, mission planners, and technical crews from both countries to learn from each other’s experiences. The engagement reinforces a steady trajectory in India-France defence relations, which now span fighter aircraft cooperation, space security, and Indo-Pacific maritime coordination.
Tthe IAF’s participation underscores India’s commitment to building robust military partnerships through bilateral and multilateral exercises. At a time when international air forces are increasingly collaborating to maintain stability across strategic regions, Garuda 25 showcases the growing convergence between New Delhi and Paris on defence preparedness and joint operational capability.
