US Air Force's F-15 Strike Eagle, IAF's Su-30 To Take Part In Copa India War Games On April 10
They stated that the Su-30MKIs and other combat aircraft from other contemporary fleets would represent the Indian side.
The US and Indian Air Forces will begin wargames at the Kalaikunda air station in West Bengal on April 10 amid an ongoing confrontation between Russia and the US-backed Ukraine, news agency ANI reported.
Speaking with ANI, a senior IAF official stated: "A squadron of the US Air Force's F-15 Strike Eagle fighter aircraft will be arriving at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal for the Cope India series of wargames where the Indian side would be mainly fielding its Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 jets."
They stated that the Su-30MKIs and other combat aircraft from other contemporary fleets would represent the Indian side.
With the purpose of showcasing the "Made in India" aircraft, the LCA Tejas may also be deployed during the exercise.
The US Air Force personnel that will participate in the exercise is anticipated to come from the US military's Pacific Command, which works with India in the Indo-Pacific area.
The F-15 fighter jet is one of the competitors in the Indian Air Force's planned competition for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft, hence the timing of the exercise with its participation is crucial.
They said that the Indian Air Force is also expected to deploy its IL-78 mid-air refuelers and airborne early warning aircraft during the drill.
Recently, the Indian Air Force took part in a number of international exercises, including Ex Cobra Warrior in the UK and EX Desert Flag in the UAE, in which the US also took part.
The goal of the field training exercise was to improve US-Indian collaboration by leveraging current assets, aircrew strategies, and force utilisation.
At the Indian Air Station Gwalior, Cope India first took place in 2004 as a fighter training exercise.
In addition to fighter training activities, the exercise now includes subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, airdrop training, and large-force exercises.
The wargame's last iteration took place in 2019. Also, the US has been working to forge stronger military connections with Indian troops, particularly the Air Force and Army, who have historically relied heavily on equipment of Soviet provenance.
(With Inputs From ANI)
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