Agra to host Indo-US joint exercise in October

A five-day joint exercise involving the Indian Air Force and the United States Air Force transport aircraft, Cope India-09, will be held at Agra from October 19. 

The participating IAF aircraft include IL-76, AN-32 and Mi-17 helicopters, while USAF will participate with C-17 Globemaster, C-130J (Super Herclues) and C-130H transport aircraft. 

The exercise is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of joint operations in the realm of tactics, aero medical aspects and Combat Search and Rescue missions involving medium and heavy lift transport aircraft.

Nearly 160 USAF personnel and about 200 IAF air warriors will participate in the exercise. The Indian Army and the US Army will also simultaneously conduct their largest joint exercise in October, featuring variety of armoured vehicles, medium and heavy lift aircraft and helicopters.

The Indo-US Army exercise will be conducted at Babina in Uttar Pradesh.