An Indian contingent has arrived in Egypt to take part in the ‘Exercise Bright Star’, a multi-nation drill which will witness the participation of 34 countries, according to an Indian Air Force (IAF) statement on Monday.
The statement outlined that the IAF continent will comprise five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft.
Around 150 Indian soldiers are also slated to take part in the exercises, the Indian defense minister has said.
“With the participation of 34 countries across the globe, the exercise in Egypt aims to counter contemporary threats and enhance interoperability amongst participating Nations,” the Indian Army spokesman said on Monday.
Growing India-Egypt Defense Ties
The Indian defense ministry said that both the nations have bolstered the defence cooperation in recent years through “regular exercises” between the armed forces.
It noted that both the countries have historically enjoyed “an exceptional relationship and deep cooperation”.
Indian Contingent to Take Part in ‘Bright Star’ Drills in Egypt
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The official statement recalled that New Delhi and Cairo jointly worked on the development of an aircraft engine and aircraft in the 1960s, with India having also trained Egyptian pilots in the past.
“The relationship between the two civilizational countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and Indian Defence Minister (Rajnath Singh) and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to Egypt,” the Indian statement underlined.
During the visit of Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to Egypt last September, the countries signed a pact to enhance defence cooperation last September, with a focus on increasing the frequency of joint military exercises in the area of counter-insurgency.
India and Egypt decided to elevate their bilateral ties to the level of “strategic partnership” during the state visit of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to New Delhi this January.
The two countries signed the official document to bring into effect their “strategic partnership” during the state visit of Prime Minister Modi to Cairo in June.