India, US to hold joint air force exercise in October

New Delhi, Aug.21 (ANI): The Indian Air Force on Friday said that India and the US will hold a joint military exercise, involving transport aircraft and helicopters, in October.

"We are going to hold 'Exercise Cope-India' in October this year with the US Air Force in Agra and Chandigarh involving transport aircraft and choppers from both sides," IAF officials said.

During the exercise, officials said, India would be represented by its Russian manufactured transport fleet of IL-76 heavy lift and An-32 aircraft along with its Mi-17s and Mi-8s.

The USAF is expected to include its C-17 Globemaster heavy lift and C-130J 'Hercules' medium lift transport aircraft besides the tandem rotor Chinook heavy lift choppers in the exercise.

"Indian and American Special Forces personnel will be air dropped during the war games," they said.

The exercise can be a platform for the US to showcase its military hardware to India as the C-17 Globemasters and the Chinooks have been offered to the IAF to meet its purchase plans to augment transport fleet.

"C-17s and Chinooks have been offered to the IAF whereas we have already acquired six C-130Js for Special Operations," the IAF officials said. (ANI)