A French Air Force pilot had the rare opportunity to fly an Indian Su-30MKI air superiority fighter designed in Russia during Garuda-VI joint French-Indian air exercises – and he appears to have enjoyed the flight.

The pilot took a sneak peek into one of India’s most modern warplanes developed by Russia’s Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer during a familiarisation flight in the first week of this year’s Garuda exercises held between July 1 and 12.

#ExGaruda2019: Indo-France joint exercise gives us a great opportunity to interact, exchange views, experiences & knowledge.

A French Air Force Pilot got an opportunity to fly in the Su-30MKI aircraft, during the integration flying training week. pic.twitter.com/RJstvqKZAm

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 4, 2019


A French pilot makes a FAM flight aboard an @IAF_MCC Su-30MKI. Great aircraft !
// Un pilote du #RC2_30 effectue un vol de familiarisation à bord d'un #Flanker-C indien. Sacré avion ! //#Garuda #Rafale pic.twitter.com/RR0jXAmOZc

— Webmaster Chasse (@WebChasse) July 4, 2019


#ExGaruda2019 : The objective of Indo-France joint exercise is to share good practices & to enhance interoperability & cooperation between the two Air Forces.

During the exchange flying, Sqn Ldr Sourabh Ambure flew in the FAF Rafale aircraft.@Armee_de_lair @FranceinIndia pic.twitter.com/BNg1AzWPPj

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 5, 2019

The two-week exercises held at the Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in southwestern France will see the French and Indian pilots enhancing their cooperation skills while conducting simulated air defence and ground attack missions. India deployed four Su-30MKIs and an Ilyushin IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft as well as 120 pilots and airmen to take part in the exercise.