New Delhi: With the Indo-US nuclear deal already hanging fire, another red rag would appear to have been waved in the face of disgruntled comrades from the Left, with the Indian Air Force announcing that it was seeking permission from the government to participate in the "Red Flag" training exercises hosted by the United States Air Force (USAF). The "Red Flag" is widely considered to be the world''s most advanced aerial combat training exercise.

Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, said here on Friday that the exercises were slated for January 2008. "We have bid to take part in the exercises in 2008, which are most sought after by air forces the world over," he told reporters during an interaction here.

The Red Flag exercises are conducted in four to six cycles a year by the 414th Combat training squadron of the USAF and invites fighter pilots from NATO and other allied countries to face up to real combat situations using live ordnance. The exercise simulates the best tactics used by air forces the world over and entry is by invitation only. So far, apart from the US and NATO countries, few others have been asked to participate.

Defending the decision to participate in exercises with forces from different countries, including those that follow NATO standard operating procedures (SOPs), ACM Major said: "Joint exercises are a part of the learning curve. We get the opportunity of exchanging notes with air forces that are more modern and better equipped than ours."

The IAF chief pointed out that joint exercises were particularly important as the air force was acquiring new technologies and equipment. By way of an illustration he pointed out that the air force familiarised itself with the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) in an earlier exercise. "We will get our first AWACS by next year. So, it will be a considerable help," he said.

The exercises are conducted within the Nellis range complex, located northwest of Las Vegas, which covers an area of 60 nautical miles by 100 nautical miles approximately half the area of Switzerland.