IAF contingent departs for Egypt to participate in biennial tri-service exercise BRIGHT STAR-23

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent carrying 150 Indian army personnel departed today to participate in ExerciseBRIGHT STAR-23, a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to take place at Cairo Air Base, Egypt. The exercise is set to take place from August 27 to September 16, 2023.

According to the IAF statement, this is the first time that IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23 which will also see participation of contingents from the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.

The Indian Air Force contingent will consist of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft.


Personnel from the IAF's Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 Squadrons will be participating in the exercise.

"The objective of the exercise is to practice planning and execution of joint operations and leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations. IAF contingents to flying exercises abroad are thus no less than Diplomats in Flight Suits," informed IAF.

Meanwhile, India and Egypt have had an exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook the development of aero-engine and aircraft in the 1960s and the training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts.

The relationship between the two civilizational countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by the Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and the Indian Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt. The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their Armed Forces.