- News>
- India
First-ever Indo-US joint air exercise at Gwalior
New Delhi, Feb 16: In the largest joint exercise with any foreign air force, the Indian Air Force will hold their first joint combat exercises with the United States Air Force (USAF) in Gwalior from February 16 to 26.
New Delhi, Feb 16: In the largest joint exercise with any foreign air force, the Indian Air Force will hold their first joint combat exercises with the United States Air Force (USAF) in Gwalior from February 16 to 26.
While the IAF will field its frontline fighter planes, including the SU-30 MKIs, Mirage 2000s, Jaguars and MIG-21s, the USAF is coming here with six F-15s, according to spokespersons of the IAF and the US embassy here.
In the run-up to the exercise, Cope India '04 , An IAF team went to the US to familiarise itself with USAF operational procedures. Three Indian pilots flew with their American counterparts in twin-seater F-16s.
For the Americans, Cope India '04 is a chance to try out the IAF's Russian fighters, including the SU-30 MKI. Though initially there were reservations about fielding the SU-30 MKIs, it is learnt that the IAF having overcome these, will now be fielding the Sukhois along with Mirage 2000 fighters, Jaguars and MIG-21s.
Chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy had discussed the basic contours of the exercise with his US counterparts during his visit to the United States in September last year. A major aspect of the growing Indo-US defence cooperation is to develop inter-operability among each other's armed forces. The Cope India exercise series, according to the US embassy spokesperson, represents ''an important step'' toward improving inter-operability between the two air forces and enhancing regional security and stability in the asia-pacific region. The two air forces will conduct ''Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT)'' which will involve USAF F-15c air superiority fighters flying with a variety of IAF fighter aircraft. ''the exercise will provide valuable training for aircrew and maintenance personnel'', the spokesperson said.
Cope India '04 seeks to strengthen and broaden the bonds between the IAF and USAF that were developed during the first Cope India exercise in 2002 which involved airlift operations. These bonds were further strengthened when an IAF IL-76 participated in the multilateral exercise cooperative cope thunder 03-3 in June last year in Alaska. Cope India '04, the spokesperson said, will enable the IAF and USAF participants sharpen their air combat skills, improve procedures for sustained operations, and promote closer relations and enhance inter-operability. Bureau Report
In the run-up to the exercise, Cope India '04 , An IAF team went to the US to familiarise itself with USAF operational procedures. Three Indian pilots flew with their American counterparts in twin-seater F-16s.
For the Americans, Cope India '04 is a chance to try out the IAF's Russian fighters, including the SU-30 MKI. Though initially there were reservations about fielding the SU-30 MKIs, it is learnt that the IAF having overcome these, will now be fielding the Sukhois along with Mirage 2000 fighters, Jaguars and MIG-21s.
Chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy had discussed the basic contours of the exercise with his US counterparts during his visit to the United States in September last year. A major aspect of the growing Indo-US defence cooperation is to develop inter-operability among each other's armed forces. The Cope India exercise series, according to the US embassy spokesperson, represents ''an important step'' toward improving inter-operability between the two air forces and enhancing regional security and stability in the asia-pacific region. The two air forces will conduct ''Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT)'' which will involve USAF F-15c air superiority fighters flying with a variety of IAF fighter aircraft. ''the exercise will provide valuable training for aircrew and maintenance personnel'', the spokesperson said.
Cope India '04 seeks to strengthen and broaden the bonds between the IAF and USAF that were developed during the first Cope India exercise in 2002 which involved airlift operations. These bonds were further strengthened when an IAF IL-76 participated in the multilateral exercise cooperative cope thunder 03-3 in June last year in Alaska. Cope India '04, the spokesperson said, will enable the IAF and USAF participants sharpen their air combat skills, improve procedures for sustained operations, and promote closer relations and enhance inter-operability. Bureau Report