Question : Joint Air Excercise with Myanmar

(a) whether India and Myanmar has conducted a Joint Air Exercise in Prayagraj recently and if so, the details and the objectives thereof;
(b) the name of the Indian battalion and the number of soldiers who participated in the exercise;
(c) the details of the expenditure incurred thereon along with the benefit that is likely to accrue to India out of this exercise;
(d) the details of the joint military training exercise conducted with other countries during the last three years and the current year; and
(e) whether India and Myanmar has signed any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
????? ????? ?????? (???? ??????? ????)

(a) A Table Top Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) was conducted at Prayagraj on the theme of HADR. The objectives of the exercise include planning of HADR operation in a given scenario, learn best practices, executing mission during HADR disasters, understand Search and Rescue Mission procedures etc.

(b) The exercise was conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Central Air Command, IAF. 20 member team of IAF participated in the exercise.

(c) The expenditure incurred on the exercise was met almost entirely from the operational budget of the Services. The Air Forces of both countries were able to achieve the objectives of the laid down procedure.

(d) The countries with which IAF have conducted exercises during the last three years and the current year include Singapore, USA, UAE, Thailand, Bangladesh, Oman, Israel, Russia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Malaysia, France, UK and Myanmar.

(e) India and Myanmar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation on 29th July, 2019 in New Delhi for furtherance of India-Myanmar cooperation in the field of Defence.

*****