India Spain Defence Cooperation

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made history by becoming the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, a high-intensity multinational air combat drill hosted by the Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base, Canary Islands, from October 20 to 31, 2025.

This participation reflects India’s strategic efforts to enhance its global military footprint and highlights the growing India-Spain defence cooperation.

Historic Significance of Exercise Ocean Sky 2025

Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 brings together air forces from NATO member nations for advanced air combat training. India’s inclusion is a landmark event, signalling its rising stature in international military cooperation. The IAF’s participation demonstrates its ability to collaborate with global partners on complex joint air operations and interoperability missions.

For SSC aspirants, it is important to note that this event also strengthens India-Spain military ties and enables knowledge exchange on modern air combat techniques, further deepening India-Spain defence cooperation.

Strategic Importance of India Spain Defence Cooperation

The participation of the IAF in such multinational exercises is not just symbolic—it enhances India-Spain defence cooperation by:

• Strengthening operational readiness of Indian pilots.

• Providing exposure to diverse combat environments and mission planning frameworks.

• Enhancing tactical proficiency and interoperability for coalition missions.

This drill exemplifies how the India-Spain defence partnership is evolving beyond procurement into joint operational collaboration. It also strengthens India-Spain joint defence projects and facilitates India-Spain defence technology transfer.

Boost from Airbus C-295 Induction

Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 comes after a major milestone in India’s defence modernisation—the induction of 16 Airbus C-295 tactical transport aircraft. The last aircraft was delivered two months ahead of schedule on August 3, 2025, at Airbus’s Seville facility and received by Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K. Patnaik and senior IAF officials.

This development enhances India’s airlift capability and operational versatility, demonstrating how India-Spain military aircraft collaboration strengthens strategic defence ties. Furthermore, the India-Spain C-295 aircraft Make in India defence project represents a key step in indigenous defence production under the Make in India initiative, further solidifying India-Spain defence cooperation.

Deepening Bilateral India Spain Defence Cooperation

India’s procurement of 56 C-295 aircraft from Airbus Spain is a landmark achievement in India-Spain defence cooperation. This project represents the first-ever Make in India initiative in defence aviation, with 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems.

The growing partnership also includes initiatives like:

• Joint military exercises under India and Spain joint military exercises and cooperation.

• Bilateral talks through the 5th Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation.

• Strengthening India-Spain defence procurement and technology-sharing initiatives.

Such collaboration emphasises the long-term strategic value of India-Spain aerospace collaboration, enhancing both countries’ defence readiness and technological capabilities.

Exam-Oriented Facts for SSC Aspirants

• First non-NATO country: India’s historic participation in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025.

• Location of exercise: Gando Air Base, Canary Islands, Spain.

• IAF induction: 16 Airbus C-295 aircraft in 2025, part of a 56-aircraft project.

• Project value: USD 2.5 billion, with 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India.

• Significance: Strengthens India-Spain army cooperation and strategic defence partnership.

• Bilateral framework: The 5th Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation was held in New Delhi.

Strategic Implications of India Spain Defence Cooperation

The collaboration between India and Spain goes beyond mere procurement. Through the India-Spain joint defence projects and multinational defence cooperation between India and Spain, both countries are investing in joint capabilities, including:

• Aerospace collaboration and technology transfer.

• Shared operational doctrines and interoperability for coalition missions.

• Strategic defence partnerships are enhancing India’s global military influence.

This growing India-Spain defence cooperation reinforces India’s position as an emerging aerospace power and a reliable partner in global security frameworks.

Final Thoughts

The Indian Air Force (IAF) made history by becoming the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, held at Gando Air Base, Spain. This landmark event highlights the growing India-Spain defence cooperation and India’s rising stature in global military collaboration.

The exercise provided Indian pilots with exposure to advanced air combat scenarios, enhancing tactical proficiency and interoperability. Alongside, the IAF recently inducted 16 Airbus C-295 aircraft, part of the Make in India defence project, further strengthening India-Spain aerospace collaboration.

These developments showcase a strategic partnership that spans joint exercises, indigenous production, and multinational defence cooperation, reinforcing India’s operational readiness and global defence presence.