NEW DELHI, 7 October 2007 — India wants to join multinational war games in the United States, billed as the world’s toughest aerial drill, officials said yesterday.
The event, codenamed “Red Flag,” will be staged next January with participants drawn from NATO members and other US military allies.
“We have bid to take part in the exercises in 2008, which are the most sought after by air forces the world over,” Indian Air Force chief Fali Homi Major said.
Major said the Indian Air Force had asked for Cabinet clearance to participate in the six-week event, scheduled to be held near Las Vegas.
The issue of the country taking part in US military drills is a controversial topic as communist allies of the ruling Congress coalition say that traditionally nonaligned India is drawing too close to the United States.
The communists are pushing New Delhi to opt out of a landmark civilian nuclear deal with the United States and have threatened to bring down the Indian government if it proceeds with the agreement.
Defense Minister A.K. Antony tried to pre-empt objections to India’s participation in the exercise, in which combat aircraft engage in mock dogfights using live ammunition.
“There’s nothing new in holding or participating in such exercises as it gives an opportunity to the country’s forces to get acquainted with advanced technology, weapons system and platform,” Antony said.
“India has participated in multinational exercises in the past with the US, France and Singapore and we will be holding joint exercises with China in the future,” Antony added.
Western diplomats based in New Delhi said India was certain to receive approval from the US hosts of the Red Flag maneuvers to take part.
Although the Indian Air Force has participated in numerous US-led war games, it would be the first time it took part in the Red Flag drill.
“The success last month of Operation Malabar was a historic milestone in the military partnerships between India and the US and they would like to take it a step further,” one diplomat said.
