GARUDA 2025
« IAF and French Air Force Soar Together in High-Intensity Skies Over Mont-de-Marsan »
The Garuda 2025 exercise, officially designated as Exercise Garuda 25, is the eighth edition of the prestigious bilateral air combat training between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF). Held from 16 to 27 November 2025 at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France (BA118), the exercise marks a significant milestone in the deepening strategic and defence cooperation between India and France.
Organized alternately between the two nations since its inception in 2003, this edition marked over two decades of sustained air combat cooperation between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF).
SU-30MKI taxiing from the shelters to the runway.
« Force Deployment: Aircraft and Airlift Power »
Exercise Garuda 25 brought together elite fighter squadrons from both nations in a high-intensity, realistic operational environment. The Indian contingent, which arrived in France on 10 November 2025, was led by the IAF’s Su-30MKI air superiority fighters. These were supported logistically by the C-17 Globemaster III for strategic airlift and the IL-78 Midas aerial refuelling tankers, which extended the operational reach and endurance of the fighter aircraft during long-range missions.
On the French side, the FASF deployed its advanced Rafale multirole fighters, known for their versatility in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. The two-week-long drills featured complex, simulated combat scenarios designed to test and enhance interoperability, tactical coordination, and joint operational capabilities.
« Combat Realism: Simulated High-Intensity Warfare »
The core focus of Garuda 25 was on advanced air combat operations, including:
Air-to-air engagements involving beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile duels and close-in dogfighting.
Air defence missions simulating the protection of critical assets against coordinated aerial threats.
Coordinated strike operations, where joint formations executed precision attacks on simulated enemy targets.
These missions were conducted in a highly dynamic and realistic training environment, allowing pilots and ground crews from both air forces to refine tactics, test new procedures, and share best practices. The exercise emphasized seamless communication, mission planning, and real-time decision-making under pressure.
« Strengthening Indo-French Strategic Ties »
Garuda 25 is more than a military drill, it is a symbol of the robust strategic partnership between India and France. Defence and security cooperation form a cornerstone of this relationship, which also includes collaboration in civil nuclear energy, space, and the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise is conducted on a biennial basis, with the location alternating between India and France. This regular engagement fosters long-term interoperability and mutual trust, enabling both air forces to operate effectively in coalition environments during real-world contingencies.
« Strategic Synergy: Beyond the Battlefield »
Beyond combat training, Garuda 25 facilitated extensive professional interaction between IAF and FASF personnel. Pilots, mission commanders, and technical staff engaged in detailed debriefs, operational discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions. These exchanges are crucial for understanding each other’s doctrines, command structures, and technological capabilities.
The Indian Air Force highlighted that participation in such exercises underscores its commitment to constructive engagement with friendly foreign air forces, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in air operations.
« Conclusion: A New Chapter in Indo-French Air Power »
Exercise Garuda 25 concluded on 27 November 2025, leaving behind a legacy of enhanced interoperability, tactical innovation, and deepened strategic trust between the Indian and French Air Forces. As both nations face evolving security challenges, the exercise underscored their shared commitment to peace, stability, and air dominance through collaboration. With seamless integration of Su-30MKI and Rafale platforms, Garuda 25 proved that the skies know no borders when allies fly as one.
