For the first time, Indian Su-30MKI and Singaporean F-16D Block 52 "Plus" train in the French skies on a par with the Mirage 2000 and Rafale F3 of the national air force
A rare and impressive sight. The fourth Franco-Indian exercise Garuda (for the second time in France) gave the Indian Air Force another chance to demonstrate its capabilities to everyone. Six two-seat Su-30MKI fighters of the 8th squadron, accompanied by two Il-78MKI tankers and an Il-76MD transporter, flew from their base in Bareilly to the French air base (VB) 125 (Istres) to take part in the events taking place from 14 to 25 June training operations that take place every two or three years alternately in India and France.
This year, the scope of the exercise was expanded: for the first time, six two-seat F-16D "Plus" (Block 52) of the 145th Squadron of the Singapore Air Force, accompanied by the tanker KC-135R of the 112th Squadron, joined them from WB 115 (Orange). A total of 180 pilots from India and 120 from Singapore arrived in France. The French Air Force was represented by five Mirage 2000-5F Squadron 1/2 Storks and four Mirage 2000C / RDI Squadron 2/5 Ile-de-France, supported by a C-135FR tanker group of 2/91 Brittany.
Opening
General Bruno Clermont of the French Air Force's External Relations Department explains this line-up as follows: "The amalgamation of three modern air forces with high-tech combat aircraft makes this exercise one of the most important events for the French Air Force." In addition, neither India nor Singapore are NATO members, which allows French pilots to practice various combat elements outside of traditional patterns.
"In this regard, the exercise does not use any NATO strategies, which gives the participants a certain freedom in the preparation and conduct of operations." Pilots rarely get such an opportunity to go beyond the standard training of the alliance. “It's also a way for us to make the best use of our precious flying watches,” adds General Clermont. According to his Indian counterpart, Marshall K. Nohwar, participation in training operations on another continent presents a real challenge for the Indian Air Force and an opportunity to train with experienced pilots in a philosophically and ideologically different environment and more limited airspace. A similar opinion is shared by Singaporeans who have been trained according to American standards, which in some respects differ significantly from NATO ones. The task of these "long-term strategic partners" is to familiarize themselves with various combat tactics, which is especially important in view of the planned participation of Singapore in operations in Afghanistan.
Scripts
The exercise was directed by Jean-Paul Clapier, deputy commander of the Metz Air Fighter Brigade. In Garuda IV, significant air forces of the French Air Force and Navy were involved, and a video communication system was created for the Istres and Orange bases. The training plans were developed by representatives of the three countries for two weeks. As a result, scenarios of varying complexity were created, designed not only for the most experienced pilots.
For the first time, the sides agreed that "all participants will use only those weapons systems that they actually have."In other words, they must "honestly" use target detection and tracking tools, and fight in accordance with their real capabilities. It was about getting as close as possible to the real conditions of the interception, fire support and escort missions using fighters of the latest generations. At the same time, in the most difficult scenarios in each camp, it was envisaged to mix aircraft from all three sides.
The first week of the exercise (weather conditions were frankly unfavorable) was devoted to the study of the terrain and the training of air battles one on one, two on two and four on four. The pilots of Squadron 2/5 accompanied the Su-30 MKI, and Squadron 1/2 accompanied the F-16D at an altitude of over 3000 meters. Improved weather in the second week made it possible to begin the implementation of longer and more complex missions developed by the National Center for Air Operations (an average of 90 minutes at a frequency of 8 sorties per day), in which up to 20 fighters took part, supported by tankers and radar aircraft E- 3F and E-2C. The assigned tasks included aerial combat, interception, escort of transporters (C-130 and C-160) and the destruction of ground targets for the F-16D and Sukhoi with the participation of Mirage 2000N and Rafale, which were often assigned the role of enemy units. The zone for these integrated operations was the center of France (TSA.43), west of Perpignan, south of Montpellier (TSA.41 and 46) and delta 54, which allowed (in the west of Corsica) to operate at low altitudes under well-defined compliance conditions security.
The clash of operational standards of the participating countries allowed for better understanding and interaction between French and foreign crews.
As Colonel Clapier emphasizes, "this cooperation has the best effect on the operational capabilities of the participating armies." The interaction of the parties can be divided into three components: "Good preparation, active conduct of operations by the leadership of the exercise, and accurate planning of meetings and briefings." However, there was still one more problem to be solved. How to restore the progress of the tasks of the mixed troops? On the French side, the answer, of course, was the SLPRM Local Mission Preparation and Recreation System. The Indian and Singaporean sides had to improvise in view of the presence (F-16D) or absence (Su-30MKI) of such equipment. As in 2005, the problem was solved with the help of GPS and the Otaris program installed on the E-3F, which memorizes the route according to the readings of the radar. Together, these two methods allow for a detailed analysis of missions, as well as determine, using extrapolation, the place of impact of most missiles.
Despite the vagaries of the weather, about 430 planned sorties were carried out during the ten days of the exercise, which, according to General Clermont, is "a very serious figure, moreover, about a hundred sorties as part of the additional program should be included here." In addition, the two French squadrons involved in the exercises conducted their own training in parallel with them. Previously, French pilots had only dealt with the Su-30K, and now they were able to get much closer to one of the best aircraft of its generation, the Su-30MKI.
Power
All participants were impressed by the skill of the Indian pilots, the work of the powerful H011 Bars radar with a range of 100 nautical miles and AL-31FP engines (13 tons) with thrust vector control (13 tons). The wide range of anti-aircraft weapons of these aircraft also did not go unnoticed: Russian R-77, similar in class to the American AIM-120 Amraam medium-range missiles; R-27 with infrared guidance; The R-73 is the most modern Russian short-range development for close combat. Each Su-30 MKI can carry up to fourteen missiles!
It was with this (of course, simulated) weapon that the French pilots had to deal with, who opposed it with the Mica EM / IR (Mirage 2000-5F and Rafale F3), Super 530D and Magic 2 (Mirage 2000RDI). Overall, they think everything went very well. Of course, the Mirage 2000-5F pilot admits, their powerful radar allowed them to know about the situation in the sky before us, but the radar is not all.
Moreover, the Su-30 cannot be called a "stealthy" aircraft, in contrast to the much more inconspicuous Rafale. Here we are talking about a complex system, the main elements of which are just the same detection and secrecy. From this point of view, even the Mirage 2000C and its RDI radar with NCTR target detection does not hit the dirt on the face. One cannot fail to mention the Spectra protection and hit prevention system installed on the Rafale, the purpose of which is to determine 360 ° threats from the aircraft in active or passive mode. It also dampens waves around the aircraft, making it difficult to locate even with the most powerful radars.
In addition, Spectra is an excellent data acquisition system with the ability to transmit data over the tactical L16 link. Indian and Singaporean crews took this system into account for calculating the "fair use" of weapons, without using jammers on the Su-30 and F-16C.
Education
Although the primary task of the exercise was to practice command actions, air combat drills were also carried out within their framework. As expected, the Sukhikhs' advantage was their power and maneuverability, although the Indian pilots did not use vector thrust. Despite its overwhelming superiority in climb (300 meters per second) and flight speed (Mach 2.3 per 11,000 meters), the Su-30MKI seriously suffers from its large mass (39 tons), which is 1.5 tons more than from Rafale and 2, 2 tons more than the weight of Mirage 2000C. In fact, in close combat Mirage looks a little more "jerky", but in any case, as the French pilots say, "the advantage should be captured in the first minute."
Due to the changing nature of potential threats in their zones of influence, the Indians and Singaporeans do not put the acquisition of new refuellers among their priorities. The fact is that both the F-16D and the Su-30MKI have a significant flight range without refueling. In the first case, this is due to the presence of fuel tanks running along the fuselage, which give this modification of the American fighter such capabilities. However, despite the superficial similarity, the F-16 Block 52+ should not be confused with the F-16 Block 60, which has more power and lower fuel consumption. The F-16 Block 52+ is often called the "intermediate" link in the development of the Fighting Falcon. This aircraft has a significant disadvantage in terms of weight / power ratio, which imposes severe restrictions on it at altitudes above 6,000 meters. However, this vehicle is an excellent multi-purpose weapon platform (air-to-ground, air-to-air) thanks to the Litening and Lantirn external suspensions.
Extension
In reality, the Singapore 145 Squadron is primarily an air fire support unit. Nevertheless, its pilots trained in all forms of combat, according to the French pilots, "demonstrate an amazing ability to adapt." This quality is also shared by Indian pilots, "who are more and more mastering NATO standards (…) and are distinguished by their seriousness and concentration in battle, as well as friendliness and affability in communication." Overall, Garuda IV has become an exceptional event in terms of the variety of weapon systems and national standards. It is worth noting the expansion of "bilateral" exercises to new partners and allies, as well as commercial issues that are an integral part of the exercises. According to General Clermont, the French Air Force does not hide its desire to fully include its Rafale in the future Garuda, which is to take place in India in two or three years. Germany, for its part, also expressed a desire to take part in the next exercises with its Typhoon. One of the "essential elements" of Franco-Indian cooperation may thus turn into a kind of Pandora's box.
The commercial side of the issue
During Garuda IV, some Indian military personnel were given the opportunity to sit in the co-pilot's seat during Rafale flights. In the face of growing competition from the United States, the new French fighter is becoming one of the contenders for participation in the Indian multi-role combat aircraft program. In addition, the top priority for Dassault and other French suppliers is to sign a contract to modernize fifty Mirage 2000Hs of the Indian Air Force. The French aviation industry also has other prospects. First of all, we are talking about the organization of training and the supply of equipment in connection with the arrival of new radar aircraft (Il-76 / Phalcon) in India and the interest in the French experience in preparing and analyzing operations.
The French and Singaporean Air Forces are now close to signing an agreement on a 20-year extension of the flight school in Kazo (WB 120). Singapore is also set to decide this summer to replace its TA-4SU Skyhawk with a new two-seater trainer aircraft. Among the applicants, the promising Korean T-50 Golden Eagle and the Italian M.346 Master should be especially noted, which in many European countries is replacing the existing generations of aircraft for training in advanced air combat techniques. The importance of choosing a Singaporean side for France and its partners is explained by the possible prospects for creating large-scale preparatory programs.
