Indo-US Exercise ‘Cope India 2023’ Concludes, Dazzling Display of Aerial Manoeuvres by Fighter Jets

Date:

New Delhi: The 15-day Cope India joint exercise of Air Forces of India and US concluded at Kalaikunda in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district with a  dazzling display of aerial manoeuvres by fighter jets. A total of 24 fighter aircraft, eight transport planes and two force multipliers from both air forces participated in the event that started on April 10, IAF Group Captain Neeraj Jhamb said.

Altogether, 564 personnel from the IAF and the USAF took part in the exercise during which most days recorded maximum day temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius at Kalaikunda and at Arjan Singh Air Force station in Panagarh, he said. Gleaming aerial manoeuvres by top-of-the-line fighter jets – Rafale, Tejas, SU-30MKI, Jaguar and F-15E – under a partly overcast sky on a much cooler April 24 captivated the crowd, which included school children.

ads

The aerial assets employed in the exercise by the IAF were fighters Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Jaguar, transporters C130J and C17, force multipliers IL-76 airborne warning and control system and an Embraer 145 airborne early warning and control aircraft, Jhamb said.

USAF participated in the exercise with F-15E Strike Eagles, B1B bombers, transport aircrafts C130J and C17 and special operations aircraft MC130J, he said. Briefing reporters following the manoeuvres and a static display of the aircrafts, Jhamb said 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.

He said that Cope India 2023 is special as it involved first-time participation of IAF’s Rafale aircraft and Tejas, and USAF’s F15-E Strike Eagle fighters. The objectives of Cope India 2023 were to enhance mutual understanding of technical application of air power, and boost cohesion in combat operations and mutual understanding of air operations in large force package.

big bang

Air Officer Commanding, Kalaikunda Air Force Station, Air Commodore Ran Singh said the joint air exercise has provided an opportunity for both countries to learn from each other and improve military capabilities.

huges

More like this

NAVANTIA Cuts First Steel for the Second Corvette for Saudi Arabia at the San Fernando Shipyard

San Fernando (Cádiz). Navantia San Fernando shipyard hosted on...

AEGEAN Discloses New Order for the A321neo

Toulouse, France. AEGEAN, the largest Greek airline, has disclosed...

Israeli Navy and Air Force on High Alert to Counter Houthi Attack in Red Sea

Tel Aviv: The Israeli Navy and Air Force are...

Airbus Wraps up VERTICON 2025 with Commitments for 118 Helicopters

Dallas, US. Airbus Helicopters wraps up the 2025 edition...

Unravelling the Mineral Deal Agenda Amid Jeddah Peace Meet and Beyond

The Jeddah Meet Paving the Way Ahead: The US, Ukrainian...

BEL Receives Rs 2,463 Crore Order for Ashwini Radars from Indian Air Force

Bengaluru/Delhi: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has...

Ukraine-US Officials Open Talks Focused on Ending War with Russia

Jeddah: Senior officials from Ukraine and the United States...

Germany’s Military Build Up Continues Amidst Personnel Shortages

The Hague: The German military continued its rearmament but...
Indian Navy Special EditionLatest Issue