The Hindu : National : IAF rules out joint exercises with Pakistan, China

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

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IAF rules out joint exercises with Pakistan, China

SHILLONG, MAY 17. The Air Force today ruled out any joint exercises with the Pakistani and Chinese air forces.

``I can't think of it,'' Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, Chief of IAF, said when asked at a press conference here if the Air Force was planning any joint exercises with Pakistan's Air Force.

``India-Pakistan cricket is okay or perhaps we can play football or cricket matches between the two Air Forces,'' he said in a lighter vein, adding that `professional focus' between the two forces was quite different and `serious'.

Questioned if a similar exercise with China was in the offing, he said there was ``nothing on the cards.''

He, however, said the IAF would carry out a joint exercise with its Singapore counterpart within the next three months and reciprocate a visit to France next year for the same purpose. ``Probably in the next three months, we will have a joint exercise with the F-16s of Singapore Air Force at the Gwalior base.''

``Next year's proposed joint exercise with France is more of a reciprocal nature as we did the same in Gwalior one-and-a-half years ago. Later, some Jaguars will be sent to Alaska, US., for a joint exercise,'' he said.

The IAF expected ``more frequent'' visits from Singapore to India for training and joint exercises, as the facilities were better in our country, he said.

The joint exercises with friendly air forces, besides helping us learn a lot, also enabled us to know `how good we are,' the IAF chief added.

PTI

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