Originally posted by Harlequin
i did read alot of the threads on here regarding the *games* in feb of this year - and thats also where i read that the IAF was flying to the usa , to
go up against other types of aircraft.
This summer India sent 6 Jaguars, 2 IL-76 transports and 2 IL-78 tankers to the US for participation in Exercise Cope Thunder at Eielson AFB, Alaska.
I do not know the specific results of Exercise Cope Thunder this summer, however the Indian media claims that IAF pilots penetrated through the US air
defences in the exercise. They also claim their deep penetration Jaguar strike aircraft twice penetrated through US defensive cover and scored direct
hits on ground targets.
The IAF is slated to fly their SU-30's next year in the Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB.
The US is also going back to India in 2005 for a larger exercise - this exercise will include AWACs, the previous one, "Cope India" did not.
Don't expect the F-22 to fly in these exercises next year...