Kolkata: Air Force station Kalaikunda will host 'Ex-Garuda', the third in the series of joint Indo-French air exercises next month, as part of the ongoing international defence cooperation.

Defence ministry sources said here today that the IAF would field Sukhoi-30 MK1, Mirage-2000, MiG-27 and IL-78 (Flight Refueller) aircraft.

The French Air Force (FAF) detachment will comprise Mirage-2000D, Mirage-2000-5 and AWACS aircraft.

Joint exercises provide the platform to understand each other's methods of conducting air operations, logistic management, maintenance activities and administration practices.

IAF has already conducted joint exercises with the Air Forces of South Africa, USA, UK, France and Singapore.

Sources said that after the induction of In-Flight Refuellers (IL-78ac), IAF fighters were also deployed on foreign shores and took part in multi-national air exercises abroad.

''With every such exercise, the IAF is further enriched in experience and is better prepared for future joint operations at international level''.

According to the sources, IAF pilots have not only made a name for themselves when deployed on UN mission abroad, but are also rated among the best in the world.