In this article there is a list of All Important Indian Air Force Exercise of 2023. Military exercises play a crucial role in enhancing operational preparedness and coordination among the armed forces.
IAF Exercises 2023
Ex Veer Guardian 2023
In order to strengthen the Air Defence cooperation, the IAF and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) are executing their very first joint venture in air exercise in Japan, known as Veer Guardian 2023. After the 2+2 dialogue, this joint exercise was scheduled. It involved the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the two countries, where the two nations noted ‘the substantial expansion of Japan-India security and defense cooperation.
Other India – Japan Exercises
Ex DHARMA GUARDIAN (Military)
Ex Shinyuu Maitri (Air Force)
Exercise Malabar (Multilateral)
Exercise Desert Flag VIII 2023
An IAF contingent comprising 110 Air Warriors has arrived at Al Dhafra airbase of United Arab Emirates for participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII. The IAF participated with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. This is the first occasion when the LCA Tejas shall participate in an international flying exercise outside India.
•Exercise Desert Flag is a multilateral air exercise in which Air Forces from UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea, and USA would also be participating.
•The exercise held from 27 Feb 23 to 17 Mar 23.
Al Dhafra Air Base is a military installation in the United Arab Emirates. The base is located approximately 20 mi south of Abu Dhabi and is operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
Other India – UAE Exercises: DESERT EAGLE
IAF To Participate In Ex INIOCHOS-23 In Greece
IAF participated in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, the air force of Greece. The exercise conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece from April 24, 2023, to May 4, 2023.
Ex Vayu Prahar 2023
Indian Army and the Air force jointly conducted a Multi Domain Air-Land Exercise Vayu Prahar along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern command. The exercise validated and refined procedures quintessential for synergized joint operations. Army Formations, Special Forces along with Indian Air Force participated in the 96-hour exercise in the Eastern Theatre.
Indian Air Force In Exercise Bright Star-23
An IAF contingent departed, for participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to be held at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt from 27 August to 16 September 2023. This is for the first time that IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23 which also see participation of contingents from the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar. The Indian Air Force contingent consisted of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft. Personnel from the IAF’s Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 Squadrons participated in the exercise. The IAF transport aircraft will also provide airlift to approximately 150 personnel from the Indian Army.
‘Nabh Shakti’ Exercise
Nabh Shakti, a joint training exercise, was conducted in the Indian Army’s elite Brahmastra Corps in the Northeast states. Both Indian Army and Indian Air Force participated in the joint exercise. Nabh Shakti, a joint training exercise, was conducted in the Indian Army’s elite Brahmastra Corps in the Northeast states.
Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023
An IAF contingent comprising 145 Air Warriors departed from the Air Force Station, Jamnagar in Gujarat on February 26, 2023, to participate in the multilateral air exercise ‘Cobra Warrior 2023’ at the Waddington Air Force Base of the Royal Air Force in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. The exercise held from March 6 to March 24, 2023. Exercise Cobra Warrior is a multilateral air military exercise in which air forces from Finland, India, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, the US, and the Royal Air Force of UK will be participating for combating high-intensity simulated warfighting scenarios.
Exercise Cope India-2023
The sixth edition of Cope India-2023, an Air Exercise between the IAF and United States Air Force (USAF), conducted over the last two weeks at Air Force Stations Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra, culminated on 24 Apr 2023.  The exercise involved participation of frontline IAF aircraft like Rafale, Tejas, Su-30MKI, Jaguar, C-17 and C-130. The USAF in turn had fielded the F-15 ‘Strike Eagle’ fighter, C-130, MC-130J, C-17 and the B1B, strategic bomber aircraft.
Exercise Tarang Shakti
Ex Tarang Shakti, India’s largest air exercise, has been postponed until mid-2024 after a number of participating air forces informed the IAF that they would be unable to participate in the wargame if it was performed this year. According to the sources, six countries will engage in the Tarang Shakti with their airborne assets such as fighter fighters, military transport aircraft, and mid-air refuelers, while six additional nations have been invited as spectators.
