Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam, Hawaii. 14 April 2023. Airmen from the U.S. are participating in the exercise Cope India 2023–or CI23– with the Indian Air Force, April 10-21, 2023. The exercise will take place across Indian Air Force stations in Panagarh and Kalaikunda in West Bengal as well as Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
Exercise CI23 is a long-standing Pacific Air Forces-sponsored Field Training Exercise that builds on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics and force employment.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to return for this year’s exercise and continue strengthening these key relationships,” said Col. Biren Oberoi, Cope India 2023 U.S. Exercise Director. “Cope India provides a unique opportunity to promote compatibility among our forces and build on our collective strengths to increase our capabilities.”
Following participation in the highly successful Aero India 2023, PACAF is continuing to grow the partnership between U.S. and Indian defense services through information sharing, liaison officers, and increasingly complex exercises such as CI23. This year’s event is projected to be one of the largest Cope India exercises ever, with specific training to increase cooperation alongside IAF airmen during the exercise.
Cope India showcases the U.S. and India’s commitment to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region. Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior, India and returned for the first time since 2018. The exercise has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, air drop training and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises.
