Defence
Cope India 2023: India, US Conclude Joint Air Combat Exercises
IAF's Tejas, Rafales, Jaguars and USAF's B-1B Bombers flying in formation after completion of Aero India 2023 exercises (Image via @rajatpTOI)
The India and United States Air Force joint air exercise, 'Cope India 2023' concluded on Monday (24 April), at Kalaikunda Air Force base in West Bengal.
The exercise commenced on April 10 and was conducted in two phases. The first phase was conducted at Air Force Station Arjan Singh (Panagarh) as well as Kalaikunda and Agra Air Force Base, where the main focus was on air mobility and special forces.
About 564 personnel from both air forces took part in the exercise. The USAF participated in the exercise with F-15 Strike Eagles, C-17 Globemaster-III, MC-130J and for the first time in India B-1B Bombers.
The IAF, on the other hand, participated with Rafales, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguar and Tejas fighters, C-17 and C-130J transporters, Phalcon and EMB-145 Netra Airborne Warning And Control Systems (AWACS).
"The bilateral air force training exercise is focused on Indo-US cooperation through exchange of air combat employment philosophy, enhancing existing capabilities and mutual understanding of force employment," IAF Group Captain Neeraj Jhamb said addressing the reporters.
Kalaikunda Air Force Station Commanding officer, Air Commodore Ran Singh said that the joint air exercise has provided an opportunity for both countries to learn from each other and improve military capabilities.
