The Air Forces of India and the USA are all set to conduct war games at the Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal, beginning on April 10th. A squadron of F-15 Strike Eagle fighter aircraft will arrive at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal for the Cope India series of wargames, in which the Indian side will predominantly field its Sukhoi-30 jets of Russian origin.
The Indian side would be represented by Su-30MKIs in addition to other modern fleets’ combat aircraft. During the exercise, the LCA Tejas may also be used to showcase the ‘Made in India’ aircraft.
In addition to French-origin Rafale and indigenous Tejas fighters, as well as AEW&C (airborne early-warning and control) planes and the C17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft, the Indian Air Force will likely deploy airborne early warning aircraft and IL-78 mid-air refuelers for the exercise.
The Indian Air Force has, in recent times, participated in multiple multinational exercises alongside the United States, including EX Desert Flag in the United Arab Emirates and Ex Cobra Warrior in the United Kingdom. The objective is to participate in a variety of fighter engagements and to learn from the most effective methods of other air forces. It facilitates comprehension of the most recent advancements in the tactical and operational employment of air power.
The exercises have also contributed to the improvement of interoperability and cooperation. In addition to standardizing technical support equipment, the IAF has expanded its reach across continents by collaborating with force multipliers such as air-to-air refuelers from friendly nations.
American F-15s :-
The US Air Force contingent expected to arrive for the COPE India 2024 exercise will likely originate from the American military’s Pacific Command, which coordinates with India in the Indo-Pacific region. Significantly, the F-15 fighter aircraft is one of the contenders for the Indian Air Force’s competition for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft.
United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is the unified combatant command liable for the Indo-Pacific region of the United States Armed Forces. It is the biggest and most established of the unified combatant commands. Its commander, the senior U.S. military officer in the Pacific, is responsible for more than 375,000 service members and an area encompassing approximately 52 percent of the planet’s surface. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is tasked with defending and advancing American interests in the Pacific and Asia. (F-15s)
The purpose of the exercise is to enhance US-Indian cooperation by utilizing existing capabilities, aircrew tactics, and force deployment. Cope India began in 2004 at the Indian Air Station in Gwalior as a fighter training exercise. The exercise has morphed to also include content knowledge specialist interactions, air mobility, airdrop training, and large-force exercises over and above fighter training exercises.
The latest edition of the wargame took place in 2019. The United States has also worked to strengthen military ties with Indian forces, particularly the Indian Air Force and Indian Army, which have historically utilized Russian-made equipment.
India and the United States routinely conduct multiple exercises, ranging from the bilateral “Yudh Abhyas” land combat exercise to the quadrilateral “Malabar” naval wargames. The upcoming military exercise is significant because it coincides with India’s three-year military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. ( F-15s )
