WATCH: IAF Refuels Egyptian Rafale Fighters During Mid-Air Exercise Bright Star

An Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-78 tanker refuelled Mig 29 M and Rafale fighter aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force mid-air, as part of the Exercise Bright Star-23.

In an extraordinary feat, an Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-78 tanker refuelled Mig 29 M and Rafale fighter aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force mid-air, as part of the Exercise Bright Star-23. In the video shared by the news agency ANI, the fuel pipe can be seen slowly extended towards the Mig 29 M before attaching to the aircraft. Soon after, the pipe was seen attached to Rafael jets mid-air The IAF Mig 29 UPG was also seen as part of the mission.

Taking to X, (formerly Twitter), IAF said, “Showcasing the bonds of friendship in the skies over Egypt during Exercise Bright Star, where the Indian Air Force IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force”.

According to ANI, in a significant move towards fostering global defence cooperation, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent reached the Egyptian Air Force Base to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, last month.

The IAF contingent are taking part in a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise at Cairo (West) Air Base which started on August 31 and it will go till September 16, the Ministry of Defence informed in a press release.

This is the first participation of the IAF in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23, in which air force contingents from the US, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar are also participating.

The Indian Air Force contingent comprises 5 MiG-29s, 2 IL-78s, two C-130s 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 also be participating in the exercise. The IAF transport aircraft will provide airlift to approximately 150 personnel from the Indian Army.

Through its participation, the Indian Air Force is not only boosting its global defence cooperation but are practising planning and execution of joint operations. Besides fostering a stronger bonding of air warriors beyond borders, such exercises also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations, an MoD release stated earlier. IAF contingents participating in such exercises abroad are thus no less than Diplomats in Flight Suits, the release added.

India and Egypt have traditionally had an exceptional relationship and deep cooperation, with the two countries jointly undertaking the development of aero-engine and aircraft in the 1960s and the training of Egyptian pilots by their Indian counterparts.