Indian air force fighters will take part in the multinational Cope Thunder 2004 air exercise from the USAir Force's Elemendorf AFB in Alaska for the first time later this year.
The service will send four Sepecat Jaguars, plus Ilyushin Il-78 in-flight refuelling aircraft and two Il-76 transports to the USA for the manoeuvres, which will build on an air combat exercise conducted in India earlier this year. BAE Systems personnel recently visited India to inspect the Jaguars and approve their suitability to take part in the exercise. Two Indian air force Il-76 transports took part in the manouevres last year.
The Indian air force says its aircraft will stop over in Qatar, Egypt, Portugal and Canada on their way to the USA.
Source: Flight International
