Published on October 25 , 2025
Delhi, India
In a landmark development for India’s defense diplomacy, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has become the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, a prestigious multinational air combat drill hosted by the Spanish Air Force. Held from October 20 to 31, 2025, at Gando Air Base in Spain’s Canary Islands, the exercise brings together over 50 aircraft from multiple nations to simulate high-stakes aerial operations. This participation not only sharpens IAF’s combat proficiency but also strengthens bilateral ties with Spain, aligning with India’s strategic push for enhanced global interoperability in aerial warfare. Drawing from recent defense enhancements like the C-295 aircraft induction, the event underscores India’s rising stature as an aerospace power.
Exercise Overview and Objectives
Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 is Spain’s premier annual air combat training event, recognized as one of Europe’s most significant for fostering allied readiness. It emphasizes realistic simulations of large-scale air battles, leveraging the Canary Islands’ stable weather and low air traffic for safe, complex maneuvers.
- Host and Venue: Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base, Canary Islands – ideal for Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) and Offensive Counter-Air (OCA) missions.
- Duration and Scale: October 20-31, 2025; involves 50+ aircraft, including fighters, tankers, and support units from ground crews like GRUALERCON and GRUCEMAC.
- Core Objectives: Enhance mutual learning, interoperability among air forces, air combat skills in coalition scenarios, and defense cooperation for global security challenges.
- Training Focus: Air superiority operations, tactical maneuvers, and integration of diverse assets like Eurofighter Typhoons, F-18s, and tankers from the European Air Refuelling Training (EART).
This edition builds on prior years by incorporating non-NATO partners, reflecting evolving global alliances beyond traditional blocs.
Participating Nations and Assets
The exercise features a diverse coalition, with Spain leading alongside NATO allies and India’s debut adding a strategic non-NATO dimension. Over 1,000 personnel from participating forces engage in joint sorties and debriefs.
| Nation | Key Assets Deployed | Wing/Unit Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Eurofighter Typhoons, F-18M fighters | 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 31st, 46th Wings; host coordination. |
| India | Su-30MKI multirole fighters | IAF contingent; first non-NATO involvement, showcasing tactical versatility. |
| Germany | Eurofighter Typhoons | Advanced air combat integration. |
| Greece | F-16 Fighting Falcons | Focus on offensive operations. |
| Portugal | F-16 C/D variants | Joint maneuvers with IAF Su-30s. |
| USA | F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16s | High-intensity strike simulations. |
| Support (EART) | MRTT, KC-767, KC-30M, A-330, A400M tankers | Aerial refueling for extended missions. |
India’s Su-30MKI deployments, captured in recent visuals alongside Portuguese F-16s, highlight seamless multinational coordination.
India’s Historic Participation and Assets
Marking a breakthrough, India’s inclusion as the first non-NATO participant elevates its profile in NATO-led forums, fostering trust and tactical exchanges.
- IAF Deployment: A contingent of Su-30MKI fighters, known for multirole capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles, deployed for live sorties and simulations.
- Strategic Timing: Follows the full induction of 16 Airbus C-295 tactical transport aircraft on August 3, 2025, at Seville – ahead of schedule, enhancing IAF’s airlift and versatility.
- Training Gains: IAF pilots engage in diverse scenarios, exchanging doctrines with NATO peers to refine strategies for modern warfare.
- On-Ground Impact: Builds on the USD 2.5 billion C-295 deal (56 aircraft total; 16 imported, 40 ‘Make in India’ by Tata Advanced Systems), the first such private-sector project in defense aviation.
An IAF spokesperson noted: “Participation in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 allows the Indian Air Force to not only sharpen its combat skills but also strengthen bonds with like-minded air forces. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to global security, cooperative engagement, and operational excellence.”
Significance for India-Spain Defense Ties
This exercise symbolizes deepening Indo-Spanish collaboration, amid rising bilateral defense engagements.
- Milestone Achievement: First non-NATO entry breaks new ground, signaling India’s interoperability with Western alliances without formal membership.
- Bilateral Boost: Follows the 5th Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation in New Delhi (February 2025), reviewing joint projects and planning future activities.
- C-295 Synergy: The program’s success – first aircraft handed over September 13, 2023, by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari – exemplifies tech transfer and co-production.
- Global Footprint: Enhances IAF’s readiness for coalition ops, aligning with NEP 2020’s experiential learning and India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat in aerospace.
Experts view it as a “testament to the burgeoning ties between India and Spain,” positioning India as a credible partner in European security dialogues.
Broader Implications for Global Air Power Dynamics
Ocean Sky 2025 extends beyond drills, influencing regional stability and innovation.
- Interoperability Edge: Promotes standardized tactics, vital for UN or QUAD-like missions, potentially raising IAF’s global rankings.
- NATO-India Bridge: Non-NATO involvement could inspire similar inclusions, easing India’s navigation of multipolar geopolitics.
- Economic Ripple: Spurs defense exports; India’s C-295 line may export to Latin America, leveraging Spanish networks.
- Future Outlook: Paves way for reciprocal exercises in India, like Tarang Shakti 2025, and expanded JWG scopes.
Social media buzz, including visuals of Su-30MKIs in action, amplifies national pride and recruitment interest in IAF.
