IAF had been keenly looking forward to this deployment, both from a cultural and a work ethos perspective. It had hoped its Su-30MKI would get the chance to go head to head with the Typhoon, but as far as the RAF was concerned that was a no-no. It was not surprising. At the Indradhanush I press conference at Gwalior AFS, both senior representatives - AVM Chris Harper, CAS RAF Strike Operations, and his Indian counterpart, AM K D Singh - were diplomatic about each other's performances. However, Indian journalist were given separate briefings by IAF personnel which suggested the Tornado F.3 has, not too surprisingly, struggled to cope with the Su-30MKI in air battles. This led to headlines such as "Indian Sukhois splash the RAF in War games" appearing in the national newspapers. The RAF and BAE systems did not want to see a repeat involving Typhoon once the IAF returned home (after Indrdhanush II), so they tried their best to ensure there were no Typhoon vs. Su-30 MKI dogfight scenarios.
.....However, there is every possibility that if the warm relations between the RAF and the IAF continue, Indradhanush III will take place in India in 2009. Should the Typhoon win the contract to supply the IAF with up to 126 MMRCA, don't bet against it flying to India for that one!
IAF were hosted by XXV sqn RAF which flies Tornados. In addition, 2 41 (R) swn Tornado F.3s, 100 sqn hawks, 41 sqn Harriers, 1 sqn Sentry AEW.1s took part in the ex. along with 101's VC-10 tankers.