Exercise Garuda
Exercise Garuda is a bilateral air force exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF). The first edition of the exercise was held in 2003 at Gwalior AFS, was witnessed by Chief of Staff of the FASF. The eight edition, the latest iteration of the exercise, was hosted in France in November 2025. The exercises are held alternatively in India and France air forces.
| Exercise Garuda | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Military exercise |
| Frequency | Variable |
| Country | India, France |
| Years active | 23 |
| Established | 2003 |
Previous event | 2022 (26 October – 12 November) |
| Participants | Indian Air Force & French Air and Space Force |
Exercise Garuda is a bilateral air force exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF). The first edition of the exercise was held in 2003 at Gwalior AFS, was witnessed by Chief of Staff of the FASF.[1] The eight edition, the latest iteration of the exercise, was hosted in France in November 2025.[2] The exercises are held alternatively in India and France air forces.[1]
List of Garuda exercises
[edit]| Edition | Year | Location | Dates | IAF units | FASF units | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garuda I | 2003 | Gwalior AFS, India | [3] | ||||
| Garuda II | 2005 | Istres Air Base, France | [1] | ||||
| Garuda III | 2007 | Kalaikunda AFS, India | 13 - 25 February |
|
[4] | ||
| Garuda IV | 2010 | Istres Air Base, France | 14 - 25 June |
|
Singapore Air Force participated in the exercise with F-16 Fighting Falcon. Included para jumps by Garud and French Special Forces from Il-76. | [5][6][7] | |
| Garuda V | 2014 | Jodhpur AFS, India | 2 - 13 June |
|
[8][9][1] | ||
| Garuda VI | 2019 | Mont-de-Marsan, France | 1 - 12 July |
|
[10] | ||
| Garuda VII | 2022 | Jodhpur AFS, India | 26 October – 12 November |
|
|
[11][3] | |
| Garuda VIII | 2025 | Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, France | 16 – 27 November |
|
|
The Indian contingent had reached France on 10 November and returned to Indian on 2 December.[12] The exercise involves over 500 airmen and 25 aircraft. | [2][13][14] |
Gallery
[edit]-
IAF Su-30 MKI, French Rafale and IAF Tejas at Exercise Garuda -
IAF Su-30MKI refuelling from a French C-135F -
An IL-78 MKI during Exercise Garuda 2019 -
An Indo-French formation (including IAF Su-30 MKI, French Rafale, IAF Tejas) led by Rafale over Thar Desert during Garuda VII 2022. -
HAL Tejas during the exercise in 2022
See also
[edit]- List of exercises of the Indian Air Force
- Exercise Red Flag
- Red Flag – Alaska
- Cope India
- Indradhanush (Air Force Exercise)
- Exercise Tarang Shakti
- Exercise Pitch Black
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Exercise Garuda V – Strengthening strategic partnership". www.spsmai.com. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ a b "Exercise Garuda 25: Indian Air Force participates in the 8th edition of bilateral air exercise with French Air and Space Force" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 2025-11-15. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ^ a b "Garuda VII". Drishti IAS. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ "Indo-French joint air exercise Garuda-III begins". Press Information Bureau. 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "Exercise 'GARUDA' begins". Press Information Bureau. 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "Exercise Garuda Enters Final Phase, Su-30MKIs Swing Roled!". Livefistdefence. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
- ^ "IAF conducts joint exercises with French, Singapore air forces". The Hindu. 2010-06-25. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
- ^ "Indo-French Air Exercise "Garuda V"". La France en Inde / France in India. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- ^ "Air Exercise Between Indian Air Force and French Air Force (Exercise Garuda V) Commences at Jodhpur". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- ^ "Culmination of Exercise Garuda-VI". Press Information Bureau. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "EXERCISE GARUDA - VII AT AIR FORCE STATION JODHPUR". Press Information Bureau. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "Exercise Garuda 25 concludes: Indo-French Air Forces successfully complete 8th edition of bilateral air exercise" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "Garuda 2025 Exercise" (Press release). French Embassy in India. 2025-11-12. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ^ Sharma, Shivani (2025-11-15). "Air Force joins France for Garuda 25 exercise, deploys Sukhoi fighter jets". India Today. Retrieved 2025-11-20.