Learning Exercises

Mohmmad Asif Khan

This year has been busy for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It participated in a number of bilateral, trilateral and multilateral exercises with friendly air forces across the globe to enhance its operational capabilities and readiness, strengthen its ties with other air forces, and promote regional security. These exercises demonstrated the IAF’s operational readiness to operate with other air forces, provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to those in need, and support India’s foreign policy and security objectives.

Exercise Bright Star

Year at a glance

Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023 was held from 6 to 24 March 2023 at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, England. The exercise focused on intensive training in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack and reconnaissance. Notable aircraft deployed by the IAF included the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar. Among the aircraft the RAF deployed were the F-35 Lightning, Typhoon, F-16, Hawk, Voyager and the Hercules. The exercise involved over 70 aircraft from seven countries: the United Kingdom, India, the United States, Sweden, South Africa, Finland and Singapore. The exercise was designed to train participants in high intensity, large force, tactical air war fighting operations. It also provided an opportunity for the participating countries to work together and share their best practices.

The IAF’s presence was also felt in the UAE during Exercise Desert Flag VIII, hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) from February 27 to March 17, 2023, at the Al Dhafra Air Base. This exercise facilitated tactical knowledge exchange, emphasising collaborative efforts for regional security. Over 150 aircraft and 5,000 personnel participated from the UAEAF, RAF, USAF, French Air and Space Force, Royal Saudi Air Force, Egyptian Air Force and the Moroccan Royal Air Force. The IAF deployed the Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in the two-week exercise.

In March, the IAF carried out a bilateral Exercise Desert Warrior 2023 with the Egyptian Air Force. It focused on a range of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack and electronic warfare. The participating aircraft included the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and the C-17 Globemaster III from the IAF, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Rafale and Mirage 2000 from the Egyptian Air Force.

The sixth edition of Exercise Cope India was held in April 2023 at the Air Force Stations Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra in India. The exercise involved over 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel from the IAF and the USAF. Th