Thursday, February 24 2005 20:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: For the first time, India would be sending its much acclaimed Russian SU-30K fighters for joint exercises with the French Air Force in France in June this year.

The Sukhoi 30's which had created ripples last year by getting the better of US Air Forces F-15e tomcats in joint manouvres over Gwalior, would this time cross swords with the French Frontline Rafale and upgraded Mirage 2000-5 in the exercises codenamed Garuda II.

"A team of Six Sukhoi fighters backed by two IL-78 mid air refuellers would take part in the joint Indo-French fighter exercises", Air Vice Marshal S C Mukul said in New Delhi.

With the Indian Air Force interaction with Foreign Air Force becoming almost a yearly ritual, the Force is now developing the Kalaikunda Air base in West Bengal as an arena for Joint training with Foreign Air Force.

"We are developing international facilities at the base so that it can host such joint manovres" Mukul said adding the airfield would be ready for such events by the end of the year, when it would be the site of second Indo-US fighter exercises.

The Americans, who last year did not acede to the IA request for joint exercises involving its frontline F-16 fighting falcons, has this time agreed to bring these fighters to the Indian soil.

The US Air Force action could have been swayed by the fact that Lockheed Martin, the manufacturers of the highly rated fighters, are making a serious bid for the IAF's contract to induct 126 multi-role aircraft.