The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Exercise Iniochos-25, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, in Greece from Monday.
The exercise will take place at Andravida Air Base, Greece, from March 31 to April 11.
IAF Contingent
The IAF contingent will include Su-30 MKI fighters along with combat enabler IL-78 & C-17 aircraft.
Iniochos is a biennial multinational air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force.
Purpose
It serves as a platform for air forces to hone their skills, exchange tactical knowledge, and strengthen military ties.
“The exercise will integrate multiple air and surface assets from fifteen countries under realistic combat scenarios, designed to simulate modern-day air warfare challenges,” read a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence.
“The IAF looks forward to participating in Exercise INIOCHOS 25, a platform to enhance international cooperation, synergy and interoperability among participating Air Forces,” the statement said.
Combined Air Operations
This exercise will provide an opportunity to train in planning and executing Combined Air operations, refine tactics in complex air warfare scenarios, and gain insights into operational best practices.
“With all operations conducted from Andravida, IAF’s participation will not only strengthen its operational capabilities but also contribute to mutual learning and enhanced coordination among participating countries,” it said.
IAF’s participation in INIOCHOS-25 reflects its commitment to global defence cooperation and operational excellence.
The exercise will further reinforce India’s strategic partnerships and bolster its capabilities in joint operations with friendly nations.
History Of Iniochos Exercise
The “Iniochos” Exercise was first conducted in the late 1980s, as a small-scale tactical-level exercise, tailored to the contemporary necessity for training in combined air operations in accordance with the Hellenic Air Force Doctrine, according to the official statement.
Over the next years, the success of the exercise led to the decision to establish it as an annual event.
The exercise objective was to train personnel in planning and execution of Combined Air Operations (COMAO) in accordance with the HAF Doctrine and National Plans in a realistic environment, in order to test and evaluate operational plans and tactics.
In April 2015, the exercise is being held for the first time in the form of INVITEX (Invitation Exercise), with the participation of the IAF and the USAFE Special Forces (SOF) as JTAC, the official website said.
(With inputs from IBNS)
