IAF Participates in Multinational Tactical Leadership Programme in Egypt

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, featuring SU-30MKI aircraft and personnel, is currently in Egypt for the month-long Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) at the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) Weapon School. This program reflects the growing military cooperation between India and Egypt. The TLP is led by the IAF’s Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) from Gwalior, which is renowned for training elite combat pilots and instructors. In addition to the IAF, air forces from Jordan and Greece are also taking part.

The IAF team arrived in Egypt on Tuesday, flying non-stop with support from IL-78 mid-air refuelers. The TLP focuses on enhancing air combat capabilities through simulated missions, both day and night, which include air-to-air and air-to-ground combat scenarios. These operations will be conducted alongside Egyptian F-16s, Rafales, and Greek and Jordanian F-16s.

The TLP's inaugural session took place in July 2022, involving fighter weapon schools from the participating countries. In this unique exercise, IAF personnel participated as instructors. During the first TLP, the IAF deployed three Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft and six combat instructor pilots. The induction and de-induction flights spanned over six hours, with mid-air refueling support from both IAF and UAE refueling aircraft.

The IAF has stated that the first TLP was a valuable exchange of knowledge in large-scale air combat, particularly in managing complex, multi-aircraft missions. IAF pilots collaborated with their Egyptian counterparts on a variety of missions, which included both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, as well as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations. The exercise also offered opportunities for participants to share air combat tactics and best practices.

The first TLP, which emphasized joint air operations, showcased the strong professional relationship between the two air forces. This bond dates back to the 1960s, when Group Captain Kapil Bhargava of the IAF test-flew the Egyptian prototype Helwan HA-300 with EAF test pilots. Since then, Indian Qualified Flying Instructors have trained Egyptian pilots, with this collaboration continuing into the 1980s.