Agence France-Presse, India wants to join multinational war games in the U.S., billed as the world’s toughest aerial drill, officials said Oct. 6.
The event, code-named “Red Flag,” will be staged next January with participants drawn from NATO members and other U.S. military allies.
“We have bid to take part in the exercises in 2008, which are the most sought after by air forces the world over,” Indian Air Chief Marshal Fali Major said.
Major said the Indian air force had asked for cabinet clearance to participate in the six-week event, scheduled to be held near Las Vegas.
Indian communists are saying that the traditionally nonaligned nation is drawing too close to the U.S. They are pushing New Delhi to opt out of a landmark civilian nuclear deal with the U.S. and have threatened to bring down the Indian government if it proceeds with the agreement.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony tried to pre-empt objections to India’s participation in the exercise, in which combat aircraft engage in mock dogfights using live ammunition.
“There’s nothing new in holding or participating in such exercises as it gives an opportunity to the country’s forces to get acquainted with advanced technology, weapons system and platform,” Antony said.
“India has participated in multinational exercises in the past with the U.S., France and Singapore and we will be holding joint exercises with China in the future,” Antony added.
Western diplomats based in New Delhi said India was certain to receive the OK to participate in the Red Flag maneuvers.
Although the Indian air force has participated in numerous U.S.-led war games, it would be the first time it took part in the Red Flag drill.
“The success last month of Operation Malabar was a historic milestone in the military partnerships between India and the U.S. and they would like to take it a step further,” one diplomat said.
The six-day naval drill was marked by bitter protests by Indian communist parties, which labeled the Malabar exercise a symbol of “American hegemony.”
The Indian Ocean exercise marked a step change in relations between the Indian and U.S. militaries, whose relations were marked by mistrust during the Cold War.
The two nations now say there is a need for global cooperation to stamp out rising extremism.
“Red Flag will take India even closer to NATO countries besides offering greater business opportunities for western armament companies in India,” the diplomat said.
Lockheed Martin and Boeing of the U.S. are in a fierce dogfight with Russia’s Mikoyan Bureau, Eurofighter, French Dassault and Sweden’s Saab to grab a deal to sell 126 jets to the Indian air force.
