10. Bilateral Air Exercise: IAF and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently concluded a significant four-day bilateral air combat training exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This engagement marks a pivotal step in India\'s \'Act East Policy\' and underscores the growing defense architecture in Southeast Asia.• Strategic Geography: The exercise was conducted from February 9 to 12 in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a critical maritime corridor for global trade and energy security, reflecting India\'s role as a \'Net Security Provider.\' • Combat Assets Involved: The drill featured high-end aerial platforms, specifically the IAF’s Su-30MKI multirole fighters and the RTAF’s SAAB Gripen jets, allowing for dissimilar air combat training (DACT). • Operational Reach: The inclusion of IL-78 mid-air refuelling tankers demonstrated the IAF\'s ability to sustain long-distance deployment and conduct extended-range maritime operations far from the mainland. • Synergy and Interoperability: The primary objective was to enhance operational synergy, share best practices in air combat tactics, and strengthen professional bonds between the two air forces. • Diplomatic Alignment: This bilateral engagement aligns with the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, fostering a stable and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. • Technological Exchange: By practicing against the Swedish-made Gripen jets, IAF pilots gained valuable exposure to the electronic warfare suites and maneuverability of Western-origin platforms used by regional neighbors. Key Definitions • In-situ Exercise: Military training conducted in the actual operational environment (in this case, the IOR) rather than a simulated or dedicated training range. • Multirole Fighter: An aircraft designed to perform various missions such as air-to-air combat, air-tosurface attack, and reconnaissance. • Operational Synergy: The combined effect of two forces working together that exceeds the sum of their individual capabilities. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Article 51 (c): Under the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Constitution mandates the State to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, providing the spirit for international military cooperation. • Union List (Seventh Schedule): Defense of India and every part thereof, including preparation for defense, falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Central Government. • Bilateral Defense MOU (2012): India and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, which provides the legal framework for joint exercises and high-level visits. Additional Keypoints • Exercise MAITREE: While this was an air exercise, it complements \'Exercise MAITREE\' (Army) and \'SITMEX\' (Trilateral Naval exercise involving Singapore), creating a multi-domain defense partnership. • Regional Dominance: The exercise serves as a strategic signal regarding India\'s commitment to maintaining the freedom of navigation in the IOR amidst rising geopolitical tensions. • Defense Exports: Such interactions provide a platform for India to showcase its indigenous capabilities (like the LCA Tejas) to potential ASEAN partners. Conclusion The IAF-RTAF bilateral exercise is more than a tactical drill; it is a manifestation of India’s deepening strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific. By integrating advanced platforms like the Su-30MKI with RTAF\'s Gripen jets, both nations have bolstered their readiness to respond to regional security challenges. This collaboration reinforces the \'Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative\' and cements Thailand’s position as a key pillar in India’s neighborhood-first strategy. UPSC Relevance• GS Paper II: Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. • GS Paper III: Security challenges and their management in border areas; Linkages of organized crime with terrorism; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. • Prelims: Mapping of the Indian Ocean Region, technical specifications of Su-30MKI vs. Gripen, and names of bilateral exercises (Act East Policy).