Article Posted on : - Aug 21, 2009

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): Come October, the Indian Air Force and US Air Force will showcase their maneuverability by engaging in bilateral wargames in northern and central India.

The ‘Cope-India’ and ‘Yudh-Abhyas’ exercises will witness the participation of US’ Stryker armoured combat vehicles, C-17 Globemaster-III giant military transport aircraft and Chinook multi-mission helicopters, among others, The Times of India reported on Thursday.

The Cope-India advanced helicopter and transport aircraft fleet exercise between IAF and USAF in Agra and Chandigarh will include operations by special forces after paradropping from transport aircraft like Indian IL-76s and AN-32s and American C-130J ‘Super Hercules’, the report said.

Near simultaneously, the 2nd Stryker combat vehicles Brigade will reach in Babina armoured corps training centre near Jhansi to take part in the three-week long ‘Yudh-Abhyas’ geared for swift combat manoeuvres in “a semi-urban environment”.

“US will be bringing 17 of their eight-wheeled Stryker vehicles, which have also been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and around 500 soldiers for this largest-ever ground combat exercise with India,” the report quoting an officer, said.

With India starting the process of modernising its defence forces, the US has aimed to grab a major pie of some lucrative deals in the sector.