Exercise Indradhanush - build up and rumour thread

[GhostFlight91]

Thanks Chris

Posted by Neil on Miscanners, they are night stopping in Saudi Arabia leaving tomorrow

Is that leaving saudi tomorrow Gary or Home?

[Gary]

The Email said they arrived in Saudi Arabia today and are leaving tomorrow. Not sure if there will be another stop in before arriving at Coningsby. Mentioned 4 x SU30s, 1 x C-17, 1 x C-130 and a IL78

[Chris IL-76]

So Saudi to Athens then

[Trenchard]

So Saudi to Athens then

Why? Saudi to Coningsby is totally feasible with the tanker support they have.

[Chris IL-76]

I thought they were due in Athens....oh well

[mdobuk21]

Hi guys, I'm chancing it tomorrow and driving down from Leeds does anyone know of any Indian movements tomorrow?

Cheers
Mark

[Steven]

Mark,

If you read above it would appear that no one knows. It would appear that they will either arrive late Thursday or on Friday.

Steven.

[EGXWinfo Group]

Well I had taken a "believe it when you see it" approach however it looks fairly certain now, does anyone know if every aircraft except fighters will be at Brize or do we think the C-130 will be at Honington with the Special Forces?

Here is an article doing the rounds from The New Indian Express Website:

NEW DELHI: "A 190-member Indian Air Force contingent, backed by Su-30 fighters, IL-78 tankers, C-17 strategic and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft, left for the UK today to take part in the fourth edition of ten-day long bilateral exercise 'Indradhanush'.

The aim of the exercise, beginning July 21, is to enhance mutual operational understanding between the two Air Forces. The IAF aims to demonstrate its ability to project air power in transcontinental deployment of a task force comprising Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-78 tankers, C-17 strategic and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft in air operations.

In UK, the exercise will be conducted from three airbases. Su-30 MKI will be operating with the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) at Coningsby, the Transport aircraft will be hosted at Brize Norton and GARUD Special Forces will be hosted at Honington.

During the exercise, the Su-30MKI and Typhoon aircraft, one of the contenders of India's multi-billion medium multi- role combat aircraft, will be operating in mixed formations under various near-realistic scenarios.

The IL-78 and C-130J will also be inducted in missions along with fighter aircraft. The GARUDS and their RAF counterparts will be carrying out paradrops and other various tasks in the training area, an official statement said.

The exercise will provide ample opportunity for exchange of ideas relating to concept of operations in a dynamic warfare environment, it added."

[RobertoCFC05]

IS there and End date quoted for the exercise ???

[warrior2035]

I would guess it ends just before August Bank Holiday weekend. And that they will visit Spadeadam (that's speculation on my part).

[GoldenEagle]

20 July untill 2 August I thought.
Very good news btw, they are on their way! They are spotted in Greece.
Source: Scramble.

Jos

[Chris IL-76]

Athens...apology excepted lol

[RobertoCFC05]

Thanks Guys I've been reading posts and it looks like 3rd Aug is end day, lucky I have the last week of July off

[Undertaker]

Perhaps the Greeks will seize them to pay off their debts

TT

[PR9]

Do we know if Greece is another nightstop or a fuel and go as there are many conflicting stories at Coningsby at the moment!

Cheers.

[powerslave]

Are they leaving Greece for Coningsby today'?

Ian

[PSYCHO]

C130 and C17 arrived Athens this morning from Taif in Saudi.

[Undertaker]

Looks like the BZZSpoters site is saying IL76 & C17 due tomorrow am [at Brize] [ie Friday ?]

Tony

[Lofty89]

The IL78 filed it's plan as a K35R for some reason...callsign was ASTRA1

[Tally-ho]

Indian Air Force contingent en-route to Blighty seem to be overnighting in Greece.

See post and pictures taken at Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens International) today 14.26 local Greece time:-

http://defenceline.gr/index.php/news/item/3013-india

Headline says (Google translate) " Impressive visitors at the International Airport "El. Venizelos" Athens! Fighter aircraft SU-30MKI, Indian Air Force redeployed for a few hours, in the passage in England where will participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo, one of the major international air shows worldwide ".

Naturally the bit about RIAT is incorrect ....