India Leaves UK’s Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022, Cites “Recent Events”

India is no longer taking part in the Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022 in the UK.

In a tweet, the IAF said, “Due to recent events, the IAF has decided not to send its aircraft to the UK for Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022.”

Sources say that the recent events are related to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The United Kingdom was to get five Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. IAF C-17 planes were supposed to help with transportation during induction and de-induction.

The purpose of the exercise, which was to be held in Waddington, UK, was to give operational experience and share best practises among the countries that took part, making them better at fighting.

People are saying that the air exercise may not have happened after all. The Waddington airbase in Lincolnshire is one of the busiest stations in the Royal Air Force. The airbase is where British intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance all come together (ISTAR). It is the main place where intelligence aircraft and systems take off and land.

Experts say that the Air ISTAR is its eyes and ears in the sky. It gives British and NATO military commanders important information about what is happening on the ground, in the air, and at sea.

Experts said that because of what is going on in Europe, it might be best for the UK to cancel the exercise. In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO fighters have been patrolling the skies over Poland and Romania to make sure Alliance territory is safe and to step up air policing.