Washington: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in a multilateral exercise along with countries such as the US, Britain and Germany from July 15 to 30 at Alaska in America, the Indian embassy announced today (July 6, 2004).

The exercise titled 'Cooperative Cope thunder-04-01' is an annual exercise where friendly nations train together in a near realistic scenario. It is for the first time that IAF fighter aircraft will be participating in an international exercise outside the Indian subcontinent.

Participation for fighters in this exercise "would help us validate our concepts and operational philosophy," said the embassy press release. "It would also provide a good opportunity for professional interaction with the other Air Forces."

The decision to participate in the exercise was taken during the 8th Executive Steering Group meeting and was ratified by the Defence Policy Group in August 2003.

The countries participating in the exercise are USA, India, Canada, UK, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia and Sri Lanka.

The IAF's earlier participation in Cope Thunder exercise was limited to sending observers in 2001 and 2002 and thereafter one IL-76 aircraft participated in 2003. The IAF contingent comprises 200 Air Warriors, six jaguars, two IL-76, two IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft. This is the first time that IAF Flight Refueling Aircraft would be employed in international airspace for overseas deployment of our fighter aircraft.

"It is noteworthy," the release pointed out, "that this capability has been achieved within a year for induction of the tankers in the IAF. The induction of tankers has added a new dimension to IAF capability."

The ferry of the aircraft is planned from Ambala on June 21 and they would leave the country from Jamnagar on June 23.

The aircrafts are planned to ferry to Eielson Air Force base at Alaska through Middle East, North Africa, Mediterranean, Europe and Canada. The aircraft would be transiting through four continents and the total distance covered would be 19,000 Kms.

The IAF contingent is expected to return to India on August 16.