(Commonwealth_India) The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to enhance its combat readiness and hone operational skills through its participation in the biennial multinational air exercise INIOCHOS-25, which is scheduled to take place in Greece. This prestigious exercise, which will begin on March 31, 2025, and run until April 11, 2025, offers an important platform for the IAF to collaborate with 12 other countries, including major military powers such as the United States, Israel, and France, among others.
Hosted by the Hellenic Air Force at Andravida Air Base in Greece, INIOCHOS-25 will feature a diverse range of military forces and will focus on enhancing the interoperability of the participating air forces. The exercise will allow participants to exchange tactical knowledge, share operational insights, and foster international cooperation in a real-world military training environment. The IAF contingent, which will comprise a wide array of advanced aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI fighter jets, the IL-78 mid-air refueling aircraft, and the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, will work alongside the air forces of other participating nations to execute a series of complex operations.
Designed with several phases, the air exercise will involve a wide range of complex air combat scenarios. The first phase, which took place between March 24 and March 30, 2025, was focused on the deployment of the participating forces. This phase saw the arrival of the different air contingents, setting the stage for the main portion of the exercise, which will begin on March 31. Phase 2 will include the execution of various missions and combat scenarios, running through to April 11, 2025. The final phase, which will take place from April 11 to April 13, will involve the redeployment of the forces.
The second phase will be particularly critical in terms of its scope and complexity. The execution phase will include various air combat 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 (CSAR) operations, Time-Sensitive Target missions, and the protection of High-Value Airborne Assets. The participating air forces will simulate real-world combat scenarios, including both offensive and defensive maneuvers, and will work together to refine their operational tactics in complex, high-stakes environments.
The exercise is not only an opportunity to engage in combat simulations but also to develop and fine-tune key operational capabilities. For the IAF, participation in INIOCHOS-25 will strengthen its international relationships, promote synergy and interoperability with allied air forces, and enhance its capabilities in conducting joint operations. By training in such complex air warfare scenarios, the IAF will be able to improve its skills in combined air operations planning and execution while gaining valuable insights into operational best practices.
The exercise will feature aircraft and personnel from multiple countries, including France with its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, Israel with its G-550 aircraft, Italy with Tornado aircraft, Montenegro with Bell-412 helicopters, Poland with F-16 fighters, Qatar with F-15 fighter jets, Slovenia with PC-9 aircraft, Spain with F-18 fighters, the United Arab Emirates with Mirage 2000-9 jets, and the United States with F-16 fighters, KC-46 tankers, and KC-135 refueling aircraft. Additionally, Cyprus will contribute support staff, while Bahrain and Slovakia will participate as observers. This diverse international participation ensures that the exercise covers a wide range of operational perspectives, contributing to a richer and more comprehensive training experience.
The IAF’s involvement in INIOCHOS-25 is a significant part of its broader strategy to foster global defense cooperation and operational excellence. Through exercises like INIOCHOS, the IAF can build on its strategic partnerships with allied nations while simultaneously reinforcing its capabilities in joint military operations. The IAF’s commitment to international defense collaboration and training with foreign air forces is critical to maintaining operational readiness and adaptability in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
The participation in this multinational exercise follows a similar pattern seen in other collaborative training initiatives. For example, in October of the previous year, the IAF successfully conducted the 12th Joint Military Training (JMT) with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) at Air Force Station Kalaikunda in West Bengal. The RSAF’s contingent, which was the largest to date, included a wide variety of aircraft, including F-16 and F-15 fighters, as well as the G-550 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and C-130 transport planes. The IAF also contributed a range of aircraft to the exercise, such as Rafale, Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI, Tejas, MiG-29, and Jaguar jets, demonstrating the breadth and versatility of India’s air capabilities in multinational training scenarios.
Through these regular exercises, the IAF continues to enhance its operational preparedness, strengthen its military alliances, and ensure that it remains at the forefront of modern air combat capabilities. The experience gained from INIOCHOS-25 will undoubtedly contribute to India’s broader defense strategy, ensuring that the IAF is capable of responding effectively to evolving security challenges on both a regional and global scale.
