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US F-16s to take part in exercise with IAF

April 20, 2004 (by Lieven Dewitte) - According to an Indian news paper, US Air Force F-16s and AWACS are set to take on the IAF during joint combat aircraft exercises to in Gwalior early next year.
According to the Indian Express, the USAF accepted the IAF's request during a Planning Conference held last week at the Shillong-based Eastern Air Command.

A US Air Force delegation led by Lt. Gen. Victor E. Renaurt Jr, Vice-Commander of the Pacific Air Command, arrived in New Delhi on April 13th to discuss the participation in the joint exercises.

The decision to introduce the AWACS in the proposed exercises comes at a time when the IAF is all set to acquire the Israeli Phalcon early warning radar systems to enhance its strategic capabilities. The IAF had asked for an AWACS to participate in the last joint exercises held in Gwalior from February 16 to 26, but the USAF had turned down the request because of operational commitments.