India Becomes First Non-NATO Nation to Participate in Spain’s Ocean Sky 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made history by becoming the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, a high-intensity multinational air combat drill hosted by the Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base, Spain, from October 20 to 31, 2025. The exercise underscores India’s growing global military footprint and reinforces its role as an emerging aerospace power.

IAF’s Historic Participation in Ocean Sky 2025

Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 brings together air forces from NATO member nations for advanced air combat training. India’s inclusion marks a landmark moment, highlighting its growing defence ties with Spain and its rising stature in international military cooperation. The IAF’s presence demonstrates its readiness to collaborate with global partners on complex joint air operations and interoperability missions.

Strategic Importance for India

The participation of the IAF reflects India’s commitment to strengthening operational readiness and defence diplomacy. Engaging in such multinational drills provides Indian pilots exposure to diverse combat environments and mission planning frameworks. These exercises significantly enhance tactical proficiency and interoperability, boosting the IAF’s preparedness for modern aerial warfare and coalition missions.

Boost from the Airbus C-295 Induction

Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 follows a key milestone in the IAF’s modernisation drive—the induction of 16 “”Airbus C-295 tactical transport aircraft””. The final aircraft was delivered two months ahead of schedule at Airbus’s Seville facility on August 3, 2025, and was received by Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik and senior IAF officials. This delivery marks a leap in India’s airlift and operational versatility, enhancing its ability to undertake varied missions under challenging conditions.

Exam Oriented Facts

• India is the first non-NATO country to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025.
• The air combat drill is hosted by the Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base, Canary Islands.
• IAF inducted 16 Airbus C-295 aircraft in 2025; the last was delivered ahead of schedule in Spain.
• The C-295 project is valued at USD 2.5 billion, with 40 aircraft to be made in India by Tata Advanced Systems.

India–Spain Defence Cooperation Deepens

India’s procurement of 56 C-295 aircraft from Airbus Spain marks the first-ever ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence aviation sector. The first aircraft was formally handed over on September 13, 2023, in Seville, in the presence of Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. The growing bilateral partnership extends beyond procurement, with the 5th Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation held earlier this year in New Delhi to expand joint projects. From advanced joint exercises to indigenous production, India and Spain are strengthening a strategic defence relationship that underscores India’s ascent as a credible aerospace power.