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Singapore F-16s deploy to India for air exercise SINDEX 06

January 3, 2006 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is holding a bilateral air exercise with the Indian Air Force from 03 to 20 January. Eight RSAF F-16s flew into Kalaikunda Air Force Station in Eastern India for the exercise.

RSAF F-16D Block 52 #672 of the 145th sqn pictured against the morning sun at Paya Lebar AB on June 15th, 2005. [Photo by Superskyhawk]

The Singapore F-16s were supported by an RSAF KC-135 tanker, which conducted air-to-air refuelling during the four-hour journey.

The IAF will be taking part with a squadron of MiG-27s

Codenamed SINDEX, the exercise hopes to provide RSAF with a valuable training opportunity with the IAF and also strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries. The inaugural bilateral exercise between the RSAF and the IAF, SINDEX 04, was held in October 04 at Gwalior Air Force Station. The RSAF participated with six F-16C/Ds supported by 2 tankers and 1 transport plane whereas India operated the Sukhoi-30, MiG-27 and Mirage 2000 aircraft.

The infrastructure at Kalaikunda has recently been upgraded to host this kind of exercises, sources at the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Friday. The United States deployed 12 F-16 CJs from Misawa and Kadena to Kalaikunda Air Base for the Cope India exercise with India in November last year.