Cope India 2023 joint air exercise with US concludes

The sixth edition of Cope India-2023, an Air Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States Air Force (USAF), conducted over the last two weeks at Air Force Stations Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra has concluded.

The exercise involved the participation of frontline IAF aircraft like Rafale, Tejas, Su-30MKI, Jaguar, C-17 and C-130. The USAF in turn had fielded the F-15 'Strike Eagle' fighter, C-130, MC-130J, C-17 and the B1B, strategic bomber aircraft, according to an official statement.

Aircrew from the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force also participated as observers. This joint exercise provided a valuable opportunity for the participants of all countries to exchange ideas and imbibe best practices through interactions, exchanges and combined missions.

Cultural exchanges were also organised during the exercise to reinforce the bond of friendship and camaraderie. This exercise reaffirms the deep-rooted commitment to maintain and strengthen the relationship between the two Air Forces boosting the inter-nation cooperation between the two largest democracies.

Exercise Cope India 23 began at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda and Agra on April 10 and ended on April 24.

(ANI)