Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 concludes: IAF-RMAF Strengthen

Overview of Exercise Udara Shakti 2024

• Bilateral air exercise between Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
• Held from August 5-9, 2024, at Kuantan, Malaysia
• IAF contingent of seven Su-30MKI fighter jets participated
• Successful completion and return of IAF team on August 10, 2024
• Opening ceremony attended by Group Captain Ajay Rathi (IAF Team leader), Ms. Subhashini Narayanan (Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia), and senior RMAF officers

Aircraft Deployment and Technological Synergy

• Both IAF and RMAF deployed seven Sukhoi-30 fighter planes each
• IAF used Su-30MKI variant (Modernizirovannyy Kommercheskiy Indiyskiy)
• RMAF employed Su-30MKM variant
• India's Su-30MKI mostly produced domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
• India is one of the largest operators of Sukhoi Su-30 jets globally, second only to Russia

Exercise Components and Objectives

• Two main components: Training Exercises and Subject Matter Expert Exchange
• Air combat missions simulating real-world scenarios
• Familiarization with each other's operational protocols
• Exchange of maintenance practices between technical experts
• Focus on enhancing interoperability and operational efficiency
• HOP Exercise: Pilots exchanged aircraft (Indian pilots flew Malaysian Su-30s and vice versa)

Strategic Implications and Future Prospects

• Strengthened military ties between India and Malaysia
• Enhanced interoperability in potential joint operations
• Improved understanding of Su-30 aircraft operations and maintenance
• Opportunity for India to showcase its aerospace capabilities and expertise
• Potential for future collaborations in defense technology and training