By A Correspondent

New Delhi: India’s decision to deploy a frontline fighter contingent to France for Exercise Garuda-25 is far more than a routine military drill; it is a strategic message wrapped in a high-tempo operational engagement.

As Su-30MKIs touched down on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Mont-de-Marsan Air Base for the Nov. 16–27 exercise, New Delhi is signalling its intent to consolidate defence partnerships, enhance interoperability, and recalibrate its air power diplomacy at a time of intensifying geopolitical competition.

Garuda-25 features Su-30MKIs from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Rafale fighters of the French Air and Space Force (FASF) in complex simulated combat scenarios.

The IAF noted in a post that the exercise will showcase the “prowess and professionalism” of both forces while deepening the exchange of best practices.

Beyond tactical training, the drills highlight how India and France are elevating their long-standing strategic partnership into one of the most robust defence relationships in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.

This year’s edition carries added weight because the IAF has dramatically expanded its global engagements.

Fresh off major interactions with the United States Air Force, India is now refining multi-domain interoperability with a leading European air force, an evolving pattern that demonstrates New Delhi’s ambition to integrate seamlessly with technologically advanced militaries.

France and India have spent years strengthening this defence architecture. The bilateral military dialogue has grown in scope, with the 20th Army-to-Army Staff Talks, the 17th Navy Staff Talks, and the extensive Army Exercise SHAKTI 2024 all pointing to increasingly complex cooperation.

The first-time participation of Air Force and Navy observers in SHAKTI 2024 underscores how both nations are adopting a more integrated, tri-service approach.

Even more telling is the shift from a purely bilateral Garuda format to India’s new multilateral framework. In 2024, FASF participated in the IAF’s expanded Exercise Tarang Shakti, marking a transition from traditional two-way drills to broader, coalition-oriented engagements.

Meanwhile, simultaneous naval collaborations — from Exercise VARUNA to the participation of French Atlantique 2 aircraft in Exercise MILAN 2024 — add maritime depth to the relationship.

Seen against this backdrop, Garuda-25 is not an isolated event; it is part of a larger strategic arc. India and France are consciously knitting together air, naval, and land interoperability while aligning political and defence objectives.

With growing uncertainty across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, the exercise reinforces India’s evolving role as a pivotal air power capable of high-end cooperation with global militaries.

In essence, Garuda-25 is a message: India isn’t just participating in global security; it is helping shape it.

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