Context:

• As ‘Cope India 2018’ — the 12-day joint exercise between the U.S. and Indian Air Force being held at the Kalaikunda air station in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district — draws to a close, officials of both countries called for such joint exercises to be held more frequently.

Details:

• ‘Cope India 2018’ has seen participation of More than 100 personnel of the U.S. Air Force, along with 400 personnel of the Indian Air Force.
• The U.S. Air Force has sent a dozen F-15 whereas the IAF is participating with a fleet of 10 Sukhoi 30, six Jaguars and four Mirage 2000.
• The joint air exercise between the two air forces is being held after 13 years
• The exercise is to be concluded on December 14th
• The exercise followed the Joint International Air Drill of Pakistan and China, which began at the Shaheen VII airbase in Pakistan earlier this month.