Air Forces of India and the United States on Monday began their bilateral air exercise 'Cope India' at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda and Agra. Photograph: Indian Air Force
The exercise is being held at a time when China is conducting exercises around Taiwan by deploying dozens of ships and warplanes. The US has also sent destroyers in the South China Sea. Photograph: Indian Air Force
A C-130J Super Hercules stationed at Yokota Air Base performed a formation flight with the Indian Air Force. Photograph: Indian Air Force
The 'Bone' Rockwell B1 Lancer of the US Air Force flying with other participating fighter aircraft during the ongoing Ex Cope India 23. Photograph: Indian Air Force
Air Marshal SP Dharkar, AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command visited Kalaikunda Air Force Station on April 17-18. He reviewed ongoing exercises between US Air Force and Indian Air Force. Photograph: Indian Air Force
Air Marshal SP Dharkar, AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command also flew a training mission in a USAF F-15 E Strike Eagle. Photograph: Indian Air Force
Exercise COPE India provides an opportunity for both nations to test and develop more agile and flexible command and control systems among our forces. Photograph: Indian Air Force
B-1B Bombers and F-15 fighter jets from the US Air Force to participate with Sukhoi 30MKI, Rafale, Tejas and Jaguars of the IAF from 13th April in the 2nd phase of exercise. Photograph: Indian Air Force
Started in 2004, the Cope India exercise has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, airdrop training and large-force exercises. It has also been taking place at a time when troops of the Indian Army and China’s PLA are involved in a high-intensity military stand-off at the line of actual control in eastern Ladakh in the northern sector and in a state of high alert at the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern sector. Photograph: Indian Air Force