Exercise Cope India 2023 Features The US Air Force’s Rockwell B1 Lancer

April 19, 2023

96 1 minute read

Exercise Cope India 2023 Features The US Air Force's Rockwell B1 Lancer — Image credit : Twitter/@IAF_MCC

Airborne refuelers, an Airborne Warning and Control system, and an Airborne Early Warning and Control plane from the IAF will help with the drill.
The Japanese Air Self Defense Force will also send people to watch the drill and talk to the two air forces that are taking part.

The US Air Force’s Rockwell B1 Lancer took part in Exercise Cope India 2023, which started on April 13 and is still going on. The Indian Air Force said this in a tweet. The US Air Force’s Rockwell B1 Lancer, which is also known as “Bone,” was one of the attack planes that took part in Exercise Cope India 2023.

The Indian Air Force said on its official Twitter account, “The USAF’s “Strategic Swingwing” is flying over the old home of IAF Swing Wings. The ‘Bone’ Rockwell B1 Lancer from the @usairforce is flying with other fighter planes in #ExCopeIndia 23.”

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) started Exercise Cope India 23 on April 10 at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda, and Agra. In a press release, the Ministry of Defense said that the goal of the drill is to help the two Air Forces better understand each other and share their best practices.

During the first part of the drill, both sides used C-130J and C-17 aircraft, and the USAF used an MC-130J. The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force sent a crew of pilots to the drill. They will be there as observers.

Air Force Station Kalaikunda started the next part of Exercise Cope India 23 on April 13. During this part of the drill, B1B bombers from the United States Air Force (USAF) took part. After that, USAF F-15 fighter planes will join the practice.

A press statement says that the fighter planes of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will include the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas, and Jaguar. Airborne refuelers, an Airborne Warning and Control system, and an Airborne Early Warning and Control plane from the IAF will help with the drill. The activity will be over on April 24, 2023.

In a press release, the Ministry of Defense said, “Like the air mobility part of Ex Cope-India-23, this phase will also help improve professional ties between the two air forces and allow them to share best practices.” The Japanese Air Self Defense Force will also send people to watch the drill and talk to the two air forces that are taking part.