New Delhi: India and the US on Monday began their bilateral air exercise in the crucial Panagarh sector under the Eastern Command, home to the country’s only mountain strike corps aimed at China.
The exercise will see transport aircraft and fighters in action.
While it will go on, India will also send its Rafale fighters to France later this month to take part in their multilateral air exercise that will see the participation of the country’s NATO allies.
In addition to that, India will also be taking part in another multilateral exercise with Greece later this month which will also see the involvement of NATO countries and others.
Asked whether the back-to-back exercises with the US and NATO countries were indicative of a new strategy, sources in the defence establishment said these were routine exercises that various arms of the Indian military undertake every year with friendly foreign nations.
Earlier this month, US NATO Ambassador Julianne Smith, while speaking on NATO and strengthening relationships with South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, had said the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was ready to engage more with India if it was interested.
Meanwhile, talking about Cope India 23, the bilateral air exercise between the IAF and the United States Air Force (USAF), the force in a statement said the exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding between the two air forces and share their best practices.
The first phase of the exercise commenced from Air Force Station Arjan Singh (Panagarh) and will also cover air force stations at Kalaikunda and Agra. The phase that began Monday will focus on air mobility and will involve transport aircraft and special forces’ assets from both air forces.
Both sides will field the C-130J and C-17 aircraft, with the USAF operating an MC-130J as well. The exercise also includes the presence of Japanese Air Self Defence Force aircrew, who will partake as observers.
The second phase of the exercise would be held in Kalaikunda and will see the participation of the fighters. On the Indian side, the IAF will field the Rafale, Tejas and Su-30 MKI while the Americans are expected to bring in their F-15s, and two of their B-1 bombers.
Closely after this, Indian Rafale fighters will take off for Orion, an exercise that is being hosted by France, involving many of its NATO and other important allies.
This would be the first time when Rafales will fly off to take part in an exercise.
Since the exercise will take place in the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the scenario simulated will be on what can be done when a larger military power attacks a smaller nation, sources said.
After this, the IAF will send in its Su-30 MKI for Iniochos-23, which is being hosted by Greece. Also participating will be the US, France, Italy, Jordan and Saudi Arabia among others.
Source: The Print
