India, US Air Forces Conduct Bilateral Exercise Featuring B-1B Lancer, Su-30MKI

Last Updated:November 12, 2025, 11:51 IST

The joint drills are aimed at bolstering interoperability, refining tactical coordination, and facilitating the exchange of operational best practices between the two air forces.

IAF and USAF carry out joint exercise. (Image: X/IAF_MCC)

While there is no official confirmation yet on Exercise Cope India – the exercise involving QUAD countries, India, United States, Japan, and Australia – the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) are currently engaged in a bilateral air exercise in India. The USAF is fielding its long-range strategic bomber, the B-1B Lancer, for the drills. The exercise commenced on November 10 and will continue till November 13. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued in advance, restricting air routes in the central sector that primarily covers parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The Indian Air Force is participating with frontline fighter platforms including the Su-30MKI and Mirage series aircraft.

Confirming the development, the IAF wrote on X, “The Indian Air Force and United States Air Force are engaged in a bilateral exercise from Nov 10-13, aimed at fostering mutual learning and enhancing interoperability. USAF is participating with the B-1B Lancer."

The joint drills are aimed at bolstering interoperability, refining tactical coordination, and facilitating the exchange of operational best practices between the two air forces. Conducted under a structured training framework, the exercise provides an opportunity for both sides to gain insights into each other’s combat experiences and operational doctrines in a dynamic air environment.

Over the years, India and the United States have significantly deepened their strategic defence partnership through a series of landmark agreements aimed at enhancing military cooperation, technology sharing, and joint operational capabilities. The relationship, once limited to basic military exchanges, has now evolved into a comprehensive framework encompassing intelligence sharing, joint training, and co-development of advanced defence technologies.

Both nations have recently renewed the Defence Framework Agreement, which experts believe was one of the reasons Exercise Cope India could not take place in the initial days of November. However, Exercise Malabar has recently kicked off, and the bilateral air exercise between the air forces of both nations is currently underway.

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin...Read More

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin...

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