Cope India Exercise are a series of internationalAir Force exercises between theIndian Air Force and theUnited States Air Force conducted on and overIndian soil. The first such exercise, which required many months of preparation, was conducted at the air force station inGwalior from February 16 through February 27, 2004, with the US Air Force withdrawing troops and aircraft on February 27. The exercise included flight tests, practice and demonstrations as well as lectures on subjects related to aviation. There were also media functions and social interactions among troops of the two countries. After the event was over, the Indian Air Force indicated that "[t]he mutual respect and bonhomie that developed between members of the two sides have cemented a firm foundation for moving ahead towards higher bilateralism."[1] According to press reports, representatives of the United States found it a "positive experience" that led to the re-evaluation of some assumptions about US air tactics.[2][3] The exercise was repeated in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2018 and 2023.[4][5][6][7]
The exercises allow US pilots to go up against Russian Su-30 and French Mirages.[8]
Kalaikunda Air Force Station has hosted several iterations of the Cope India exercise, offering a strategic location for joint Indo-US air operations and tactical exchanges.[9]
At the CI18 exercise, which was the fifth iteration, a total of 33 fighter aircraft took part — including 12F-15s of theUnited States Air Force (USAF) along with 10Su-30MKIs, sixJaguars and fiveMirage 2000s of theIndian Air Force (IAF). Additionally, anAWACS andrefuelling aircraft of the IAF as well as twoC-130Js each from IAF and USAF. The exercise was hosted atKalaikunda Air Force Station andAir Force Station Arjan Singh between 3 and 14 December.[10][11]
In Cope India 2018, Col Daryl Insley of USAF said while they learn from the IAF, the Indian force also learns from them. Commending the IAF's professionalism, he said, "Their capabilities are equal to how we operate".[10]
The sixth edition was hosted atAgra Air Force Station, Kalaikunda Air Force Station and Air Force Station Arjan Singh for over two weeks between 10 and 21 April. The USAF sent itsF-15E Strike Eagle fighters,C-130,MC-130J,C-17 and theB-1B Lancer bomber aircraft, whereas IAF deployedRafale, Su-30MKI, Jaguar, C-17 and C-130J aircraft fleet. Aircrew from theJapan Air Self-Defense Force had participated as observers.[12]Colonel Biren Oberoi was appointed as the Director of the exercise.[13] The exercise, which included 564 personnel from the USAF and IAF, culminated on 24 April at Kalaikunda.[14] Two C-130J along with 69 airmen had joined the exercise fromYokota Air Base. A total of 250 Airmen and 10 aircraft participated from the374th Airlift Wing.[15]
The 2025 edition of the exercise was held between 10 and 13 November[16] and was hosted by India.[17] The USAF had deployed the B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft to theKempegowda International Airport.[18] Meanwhile, the IAF deployed its Su-30MKI,Rafale, andMirage 2000 aircraft in the exercise.[19]
This edition saw Australia and Japan participating in the exercise as the maiden and second time. The exercise was held almost simultaneously with the naval exercise,Malabar, which also included the same set of four countries as part of theQuad.[20][21]
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