Exercises – Air Marshal's Perspective

April 1, 2025

634: EXERCISE INIOCHOS-25: IAF ON BOARD CHARIOTEER

My Article was Published on The EurasianTimes Website on 01 April 25.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has steadily emerged as a formidable player in the global defence landscape, showcasing its capabilities through participation in multinational exercises worldwide. The Iniochos exercise, hosted annually by Greece’s Hellenic Air Force (HAF), is a prestigious and tactically significant event. The IAF’s involvement in this exercise, particularly in editions such as Iniochos-23 and the upcoming Iniochos-25, underscores India’s growing commitment to enhancing interoperability, refining combat skills, and strengthening military ties with friendly nations.

IAF in Iniochos – 25

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-25, a prestigious multinational air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force. The exercise is taking place at Andravida Air Base in Greece from March 31 to April 11, 2025. The IAF has deployed a contingent that includes Su-30 MKI fighter jets, IL-78 mid-air refuelers, and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.

INIOCHOS is a biennial event designed to enhance tactical skills, foster interoperability, and strengthen military ties among participating air forces. This year’s exercise involves air and surface assets from fifteen countries, simulating realistic combat scenarios that reflect modern air warfare challenges. Participating nations in INIOCHOS-25 include France, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Cyprus, Bahrain, and Slovakia.

The exercise encompasses various operations such as Offensive counter air Operations, Defensive counter air Operations, Strategic Air Operations, Air Power Contribution to Counter-Land and maritime operations, Reconnaissance Missions, Combat Search and Rescue, Time-Sensitive Targeting, and protection of High-Value Airborne Assets.

The IAF’s participation aims to provide an opportunity to train in planning and executing combined air operations in complex air warfare scenarios and gain insights into operational best practices. It also aims to improve operational readiness, refine tactics and enhance international cooperation, synergy, and interoperability with other participating air forces. This engagement underscores India’s commitment to global defence collaboration and its focus on operational excellence through joint operations with friendly countries.

The Iniochos Exercise: An Overview.

Exercise Iniochos, named after the ancient Greek term for “charioteer” or “rein-holder,” is an annual multinational air exercise conducted by the Hellenic Air Force. Originating in the late 1980s as a small-scale tactical drill, it has evolved into one of Europe’s most competitive and realistic air combat training platforms. Based on the “Single Base Concept,” the exercise operates entirely from the Andravida Air Base in northwestern Peloponnese, Greece, offering a unique operational environment that simulates modern air warfare challenges. The exercise integrates a variety of air and surface assets, creating complex scenarios that test participating forces in multi-dimensional combat operations.

Iniochos enhances international cooperation, synergy, and interoperability among participating air forces. It features realistic combat scenarios involving air superiority missions, anti-surface warfare, combat search and rescue, and operations against integrated air defence systems. The exercise’s dynamic nature and high-tempo rhythm provide a rigorous training ground for air forces to refine tactics, exchange operational knowledge, and build professional relationships. Over the years, it has attracted participants from NATO and non-NATO countries alike, including the United States, France, Italy, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and, more recently, India.

The IAF’s Entry into Iniochos.

The Indian Air Force first participated in Exercise Iniochos in 2023 (Iniochos-23), marking a significant milestone in its engagement with European air forces. This debut followed a series of overseas exercises that year, including Exercise Desert Flag in the UAE, Exercise Cobra Warrior in the UK, and Exercise Orion in France. The IAF’s participation in Iniochos-23, held from April 24 to May 4, 2023, at Andravida Air Base, involved a contingent of four Sukhoi Su-30 MKI multirole fighters and two C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. This deployment showcased the IAF’s ability to project power over long distances and operate seamlessly in a multinational framework.

During Iniochos-23, the IAF contingent operated alongside aircraft such as French Rafales, U.S. F-16s, Italian Tornados, and Greek F-4Es and Mirage 2000s. The exercise involved a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with participants facing simulated threats from surface-based air defences and adversary aircraft. The IAF’s Su-30 MKIs played a key role in offensive and defensive operations, leveraging their agility and firepower to contribute to mission success. The professional interactions facilitated by the exercise allowed IAF pilots and ground crews to share best practices with their counterparts, gaining insights into NATO-standard tactics and procedures.

Operational Contributions of the IAF

The IAF brings a unique blend of capabilities and experience to the Iniochos exercise, enhancing its value for all participants. The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, a twinjet multirole fighter developed by Russia and license-built by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a cornerstone of the IAF’s contribution. With its advanced avionics, long-range radar, and ability to carry a diverse array of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, the Su-30 MKI is well-suited for the complex scenarios of Iniochos. Its versatility allows the IAF to engage in air superiority missions, strike operations, and coordinated manoeuvres with other aircraft types.

Including C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in Iniochos-23 and Iniochos-25 demonstrates the IAF’s logistical prowess. Capable of transporting troops, equipment, and supplies over vast distances, the C-17 ensures that the IAF contingent remains self-sufficient during the exercise. In Iniochos-25, adding IL-78 refuellers further enhances operational flexibility, enabling extended missions and mid-air refuelling for the Su-30 MKIs. This capability is particularly valuable in simulating long-range strike operations and sustaining high-intensity combat scenarios, aligning with the exercise’s focus on realism.

Objectives and Benefits for the IAF

The IAF’s participation in Iniochos serves multiple strategic and operational objectives. The exercise enhances the IAF’s combat readiness by exposing its personnel to realistic, high-threat scenarios. The Hellenic Air Force’s use of advanced debriefing tools, such as GPS trackers, Link 16 data, and shot assessment software, provides detailed feedback on mission performance. This allows IAF pilots to refine their tactics, improve decision-making under pressure, and align their skills with international standards.

Interoperability is another key benefit. Operating alongside air forces with diverse equipment and doctrines—from U.S. F-15s and MQ-9 drones to French Rafales and Saudi F-15s—challenges the IAF to effectively integrate its platforms and procedures. This experience is invaluable for joint operations in potential future coalitions, whether in peacekeeping missions, disaster response, or regional security contingencies. The IAF’s exposure to NATO-aligned forces also bridges the gap between Eastern and Western military practices, enhancing its versatility.

Professionally, Iniochos fosters camaraderie and mutual learning. The exercise’s intensive schedule, which often spans from pre-dawn briefings to late-night debriefs, creates opportunities for IAF personnel to engage with their counterparts from Greece, the U.S., France, and other nations. These interactions provide insights into operational best practices, maintenance techniques, and mission planning strategies, enriching the IAF’s institutional knowledge.

Strategically, the IAF’s participation signals India’s commitment to global defence cooperation. India strengthens its military diplomacy by engaging in exercises like Iniochos and building trust and goodwill with Greece and other participating nations. This aligns with India’s broader foreign policy goals of fostering partnerships in the Mediterranean and European regions, complementing its traditional focus on the Indo-Pacific.

Broader Implications for India’s Defence Strategy

The IAF’s involvement in Iniochos reflects a broader shift in India’s defence strategy toward greater international engagement and operational excellence. Historically focused on regional security challenges, particularly along its borders with Pakistan and China, the IAF has increasingly sought to project power and build capabilities for global operations. Exercises like Iniochos, conducted thousands of kilometers from Indian soil, demonstrate the IAF’s ability to deploy and sustain forces overseas—a critical capability in an era of expanding geopolitical interests.

This participation also enhances India’s strategic partnerships. As a NATO member with a strategic location in the Mediterranean, Greece offers India a valuable ally in countering shared challenges such as terrorism, maritime security threats, and regional instability. The IAF’s presence in Iniochos strengthens bilateral defence ties, paving the way for potential collaborations in training, technology exchange, and joint exercises beyond the annual event.

Moreover, the IAF’s experience in Iniochos contributes to its modernisation efforts. Exposure to advanced aircraft, such as the French Rafale (which the IAF also operates) and U.S. F-15s, provides a benchmark for evaluating its platforms and tactics. Lessons learned from the exercise can inform the IAF’s ongoing acquisition programs, including integrating new fighters, unmanned systems, and network-centric warfare capabilities.

Conclusion

The Indian Air Force’s participation in the Iniochos exercise marks a significant chapter in its journey toward becoming a globally respected air power. Through its deployments in Iniochos-23 and the upcoming Iniochos-25, the IAF demonstrates its operational prowess, logistical reach, and commitment to international cooperation. The exercise hones the IAF’s combat skills and reinforces India’s strategic partnerships, aligning with its vision of a secure and interconnected world. As the IAF continues to soar in foreign skies, its role in exercises like Iniochos will remain a testament to its evolving capabilities and enduring resolve.

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Link to the article on the website:-

IAF Joins INIOCHOS-25 With Su-30 MKI Fighters; Here’s What Makes ‘Mediterranean Drills’ Vital For India

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Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

References:-

“Indian Air Force To Display Skills In Multinational Exercise In Greece”. NDTV, March 30, 2025.

“Indian Air Force to Participate in INIOCHOS-25: A Multi-Nation Air Exercise”. Adda247, March 31, 2025.

“IAF To Participate In Multi-Nation Iniochos Exercise On March 31”. StratNews Global, March 31, 2025.

“Indian Air Force’s Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-78 & C-17 aircraft in Greece for 15-nation war drill INIOCHOS-25”. The Week, March 31, 2025.

“IAF to participate in multinational air exercise in Greece”. The Statesman, March 30, 2025.

“Indian Air Force to participate in multi-nation air exercise INIOCHOS 25”. Ministry of Defence, Government of India, March 30, 2025.

March 27, 2025

628: EXERCISE PRACHAND PRAHAAR: INDIA’S INTEGRATED MULTI-DOMAIN HIGH-ALTITUDE TRI-SERVICE WAR DRILL

India’s strategic environment is shaped by its geographic diversity and its position between two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan and China, with whom it shares contentious borders. The western frontier with Pakistan has been a hotspot due to historical conflicts and ongoing tensions. At the same time, the northern and eastern borders with China, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), have seen escalating friction, exemplified by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

India’s armed forces continuously evolve to address emerging security challenges, especially along its northern borders. Military exercises are a cornerstone of any nation’s defence strategy, serving as a vital mechanism to train troops, test equipment, refine tactics, and project power. In the case of India, a country with a complex geopolitical landscape and diverse security challenges, such exercises are indispensable.

“Exercise Prachand Prahaar,” whose name translates to “fierce strike,” emerges as a significant undertaking by the Indian Armed Forces. It was conducted from March 25 to 27, 2025, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh and was a large-scale joint military drill. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the Army, Air Force, and Navy while demonstrating India’s capabilities in multi-domain warfare.

Exercise Prachand Prahaar builds upon the foundation laid by Exercise Poorvi Prahar, conducted in November 2024, which focused on the integrated application of aviation assets. The current exercise expanded this concept by validating a fully integrated approach to surveillance, command and control, and precision firepower across all three services, reflecting the evolving nature of joint military operations.

Objectives. India’s military exercises serve multiple purposes, from testing new doctrines to improving service coordination. Exercise Prachand Prahaar had well-defined objectives. The multi-domain exercise tested India’s ability to conduct operations simultaneously on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace. The exercise emphasised seamless integration between the three services, enabling efficient command and control structures. Given the proximity to India’s northern borders, the exercise simulated combat scenarios in challenging mountainous terrain, demonstrating readiness in a high-altitude environment. The exercise incorporated modern warfighting tools such as UAVs, loitering munitions, and electronic warfare systems. Other objectives would be:-

- Rapid Deployment & Mobility. Evaluating the efficiency of deploying forces, including Special Forces, artillery units, and air assets in high-altitude environments.

- Precision Strikes. Validating the efficacy of long-range rockets, drones, loitering munitions, and fighter aircraft in neutralising simulated enemy targets.

- Joint Surveillance & Intelligence. Utilising UAVs, satellites, and reconnaissance aircraft to enhance real-time intelligence-sharing.

- Electronic & Cyber Warfare Integration. Testing the resilience of Indian forces in an electronically contested battlefield with cyber threats.

- Logistics & Sustainment. Assessing how well the tri-services can sustain long-term operations in challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.

Highlights of the Exercise.

The exercise commenced with a large-scale deployment of surveillance assets, including long-range reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), maritime patrol aircraft from the Indian Navy, focusing on domain awareness, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and satellites for real-time intelligence gathering. This phase emphasised situational awareness, allowing for precise target identification and battlefield management.

Once targets were identified, the exercise progressed to a synchronised firepower demonstration. The arsenal employed included Fighter aircraft such as the Rafale and Su-30MKI, which delivered precision airstrikes, long-range rocket systems, and medium artillery from the Indian Army, and attack helicopters like the HAL Prachand, which provided air support. The firepower phase illustrated India’s capacity to conduct joint operations under an electronically contested environment, integrating cyber and electronic warfare techniques.

A critical aspect of the exercise was the demonstration of rapid mobility and logistical efficiency. The armed forces executed airborne insertions of Special Forces to simulate offensive operations in enemy territory. The exercise was conducted in a networked environment with joint command centers ensuring seamless ground, air, and naval communication. Battlefield medical support drills were part of the exercise, reflecting the importance of combat casualty management in high-altitude warfare.

Strategic Implications.

Exercise Prachand Prahaar was conducted in the eastern sector, primarily in Arunachal Pradesh, an area of strategic importance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The exercise aimed to enhance combat readiness, validate new operational concepts, and assess the capability of Indian forces to conduct joint high-altitude warfare.

The exercise reinforced India’s military preparedness, particularly along its northern borders, where high-altitude operations are crucial. Given China’s assertiveness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the exercise demonstrated India’s ability to mobilise and execute joint operations effectively.

One of the exercise’s most notable outcomes was its emphasis on jointness. As the Indian military transitions towards integration, drills like Prachand Prahaar provide valuable insights into improving inter-service coordination.

The exercise sent a clear strategic message to both regional adversaries and allies. To potential aggressors, it showcased India’s combat readiness and willingness to engage in multi-domain warfare. It reaffirmed India’s role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific region to allies and defence partners.

Exercise Prachand Prahaar provided crucial lessons shaping future defence planning and warfare conduct. The modern battlefield increasingly relies on electronic and cyber warfare, requiring continued investment in network-centric capabilities. Logistics and mobility remain critical, particularly in high-altitude conflict zones. The exercise highlighted India’s strides in defence indigenisation, with systems like the HAL Prachand attack helicopter playing a pivotal role.

Conclusion

Exercise Prachand Prahaar was a landmark military drill reinforcing India’s preparedness for future conflicts. It showcased the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to conduct high-intensity operations across multiple domains, leveraging cutting-edge technology and joint force integration. As India modernises its military and enhances its strategic posture, such exercises will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring national security and regional stability.

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