IAF Withdraws From Multilateral Exercise ‘Cobra Warriors’ In UK Amid Ukraine-Russia Conflict

The exercise called ‘Cobra Warriors’ is scheduled to take place from March 6-27 at Waddington in the United Kingdom. 

Representational Image (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Saturday that it will not deploy its aircraft in the multilateral air exercise in the UK next month.

The exercise called ‘Cobra Warriors’ is scheduled to take place from March 6-27 at Waddington in the United Kingdom. 

Meanwhile, news agency ANI quoted IAF as saying, “In light of the recent events, #IAF has decided not to deploy its aircraft for Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022 in the UK.”

In light of the recent events, Indian Air Force has decided not to deploy its aircraft for multi-nation air exercise Cobra Warrior 2022 in the UK: IAF pic.twitter.com/f02JQ0bgS3

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2022

The announcement came days after India said that it will deploy five aircraft in the exercise.

Although, the IAF did not specify any reason for the withdrawal, according to news agency PTI, it is possible that the decision has been taken in light of the current unrest in Ukraine.

According to a report by India Today, the Indian Air Force is on standby for the required evacuation of Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine after Russia entered the east European country on February 24.

As the crisis in Ukraine has intensified, the airports are shut leaving the Indian nationals stranded there.

The Indian Embassy in Ukraine has been working continuously to ensure the safe evacuation of citizens from Ukraine.

For the same, it is sending diverted flights to Ukraine’s neigbouring countries Hungary and Romania to evacuate its citizens.

Indian Embassy issued a notice this morning advising citizens stranded in Ukraine to move only with proper coordination with the Indian officials. 

Meanwhile, India has abstained from voting in UN Security Council on the issue and asserted that its top priority is the safety of its citizens.