Context

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) of the UKjointly commenced the fifth edition of Ex Indradhanush at Air Force Station Hindan on February 24.
• The focus of this edition of the exercise is ‘Base Defence and Force Protection’. This theme is of significance considering the recent threats to military establishments from terror elements.
• Ex Indradhanush provides a platform for the IAF and RAF to share and jointly validate strategiesand tactics to counter terror threats to their installations.
• The RAF team comprises of 36 specialised combatants of the RAF Regiment while the IAF will comprise of 42 combatants of the GARUD Force.
• Both teams will execute missions based on jointly worked out plans and scenarios.Special missions will encompass airfield seizure, base defence and anti-terror operationsin urban built up zones.
• These exercises would include para drops from C-130J aircraft, tactical insertions by Mi-17 V5 helicopters and use of various airborne sensors.
• The exercise would formaly conclude on 29 Feb 2020.