The Indian Air Force (IAF) and The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets are currently participating in a joint air exercise called Exercise Udara Shakti 2024.
Following a successful participation in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 in Malaysia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent returned to India on August 10, 2024. This joint air exercise, held from August 5 to 9, 2024, at Kuantan, Malaysia, was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The IAF was represented by its Su-30MKI fighter jets. This is the second time RMAF is hosted the exercise.
The opening ceremony of EX US24 featured remarks from the IAF Team Leader, Group Captain Ajay Rathi, and an opening address by the Exercise Director (EXDIR), Colonel Abdul Rahim Jusoh of the RMAF. The Exercise Director also presented patches to IAF participants.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Subhashini Narayanan, and senior RMAF officers from the Kuantan Air Base.
During the exercise, the Su-30MKI fighters of the IAF engaged in air combat missions alongside the RMAF’s Su-30MKM fighters. This interaction provided the crews from both air forces the opportunity to familiarize themselves with each other's operational protocols, significantly enhancing interoperability, commonality, and overall effectiveness in Su-30 aircraft operations.
The exercise also featured HOP EX (EX US24) where pilots from both RMAF and IAF swap aircraft—Sukhoi Su-30MKM and Su-30MKI—to engage in air combat. One of the main goals of HOP EX is to test aircraft readiness, share combat tactics, and explore differences in aircraft equipment functionality.
The exercise also aimed to bolster operational efficiency through the exchange of maintenance practices between technical experts from both air forces.
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