Exercise Cope India 2023 has kicked off in India. The exercise is being held at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda, and Agra. The American platforms participating in the exercise will also include a fleet of four to six F-15E fighter jets, C-130, 2 B-1B bombers, and C-17 transport aircraft. The B-1B bombers and F-15E fighters will join the exercise later this week. This is the first time that the B-1B bombers will be part of an exercise in India.
U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The participation of the B-1 bombers and F-15E fighters in the exercise is significant in the rapidly evolving regional security scenario, especially with China’s growing military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific.
Gen Kenneth S Wilsbach, who is the commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, said that the objective of the U.S. as well as other like-minded countries like India is to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. He also said that the Chinese forces have had significant advancements and modernization of their forces over the last 15 to 20 years. The U.S. and Indian air forces are closely watching the developments.
The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding between the two air forces and share their best practices. The first phase of the exercise commenced on Apr. 10, and it will focus on air mobility and involve transport aircraft and Special Forces assets from both the air forces. Observers from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are participating as well.
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