In news- As part of Tactical Leadership Program, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a one-month long engagement with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) at the Egyptian Fighter Weapon School, located in Cairo West Air Force Base recently.
About the program-
- This was a first of its kind interaction for both the air forces as it was conducted between their respective Fighter Weapon Schools.
- On behalf of the IAF, Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) participated in the programme with three Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft and six Combat Instructor Pilots.
- The bond between the two Air Forces dates back to the 1960s when Gp Capt Kapil Bhargava, an IAF Test Pilot, test flew the Egyptian prototype of the Helwan HA-300 with Test Pilots from the EAF.
Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment(TACDE)-
- TACDE is an Indian Air Force unit for training aerial combat to its top one percent fighter pilots and is based in Gwalior.
- It was established in 1971 from previously formed Tactics and Combat Development and Training Squadron at Adampur, Punjab.
- It was awarded ‘Battle Honours’ by the President of India in 1995 for its role in the Indo-Pak conflict of 1971.
