RSAF Participates in Exercise Garuda

24 Juni 2010

RSAF's F-16D+ and France's Mirage 2000 (photo : Militaryphotos)

RSAF Participates in Exercise Garuda for First Time

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is participating in an exercise, codenamed Exercise Garuda, for the first time with the French Air Force (FAF) and Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise, which runs from 14 to 25 Jun 2010, is conducted from the Orange and Istres air bases in France. About 180 personnel, six F-16D+ fighter jets and one KC-135R tanker from the RSAF are participating in the exercise, together with the FAF's Mirage-2000 and Rafale fighters and C-135R transport aircraft, and the IAF's Sukhoi-30 fighters, Ilyushin IL-78 tanker aircraft and Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft. The participants will be carrying out air combat and air defence missions. The RSAF will also be conducting air-to-air refuelling missions during the exercise.

French's Mirage 2000 and India's Su-30MKI (photo : pics-aeronef)

Exercise Garuda 2010 provides a platform for the RSAF to train with the French and Indian air forces, and conduct air operations in realistic and challenging conditions. The exercise also underscores the good defence ties which Singapore shares with France and India. RSAF Exercise Director Lieutenant Colonel Pek Hong Hwa said, "The French and Indian air forces are very advanced and professional and it has been an enriching tactical experience for our aircrew to exercise with them." FAF Exercise Director Colonel Jean-Paul Clapier added, "The exercise is a good way of allowing the three air forces to work together to accomplish their missions, enhance their skills, and learn from each other." Commenting on the RSAF's first-time participation in the exercise, the IAF Contingent Leader, Group Captain Jeepu Mishra, said the inclusion of the RSAF in the exercise "adds to our learning tremendously as the RSAF is a very experienced air force with exceptionally high professional standards".

RSAF's KC-135R and F-16D+ (photo : pics-aeronef)

To participate in Exercise Garuda 2010, the RSAF conducted a long-range deployment, covering 11,500km from Singapore to France. It was the longest deployment the RSAF had ever undertaken to participate in an exercise. Two KC-135R tankers provided air-to-air refuelling for the six F-16D+ aircraft during the journey.

(Mindef)