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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Exercise Cobra Warrior

Syllabus- Defence Technology [GS Paper-3]

Context- Indian Air Force has participated in a multi-nation air exercise named ‘Ex Cobra Warrior 22’ at Waddington, the UK.

Key Highlights

  • As part of the multilateral “Exercise Cobra Warrior” currently underway in the United Kingdom, five Mirage-2000 aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) have been participating in joint training for the past three weeks that involves high intensity, large force, and tactical air war fighting operations with six other Air Forces. The other countries are the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Singapore.
  • For the first time, Saudi Arabia, India, and Finland participated in the exercise.
  • The Mirage-2000s were used instead of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas because they were busy with another exercise.
  • India has made two stops along the way, in Greece and Saudi Arabia, and used IL-78 aircraft to refuel in the middle of the air to travel 4,500 miles in three days.
  • The IAF is supported by two C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and an IL-78 mid-air refueling aircraft in addition to the fighters.

About Exercise Cobra Warrior 

  • The Royal Air Force hosts the largest air exercise, Exercise Cobra Warrior, twice a year.
  • Around 70 aircraft are participating in this edition, which is being directed by RAF Waddington air base personnel.
  • Precision strike teams from RAF regiments, air maneuvers to support ground forces, and further development of a joint personnel recovery capability are also included.
  • The RAF Voyager mid-air refueling aircraft, which are based at RAF Brize Norton, are supporting the fighter jets in this exercise, which aims to encourage nations that are participating to collaborate with the United Kingdom.

Significances

  • International partners and allies can train together in Cobra Warrior to develop air-based operational strategies.
  • Over the course of three weeks, participants in the exercise will combine their capabilities to carry out the entire range of air operations, including strike, counter-air, and defensive counter-air operations.
  • The exercise aims to synchronize effects across multiple domains, so it covers not only the air, but also space, cyberspace, and for this iteration, land.

Other Military Exercises 

  • Exercise Milan:
    • It will take place between February 25 and March 4, and ships from more than 15 nations will be present. For the first time, the United States will participate in the exercise.
    • The MILAN 2022 exercise, which is a biannual, multilateral naval exercise that began in 1995 with the participation of four nations—Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—has as its theme “Camaraderie – Cohesion – Collaboration.” The goal of the exercise is to portray India as a responsible maritime power to the entire world.
    • It was previously held in Andaman and Nicobar at Port Blair, but it is now being moved to Visakhapatnam because it has more sea space and infrastructure.
  • Eastern Bridge-VI:
    • From February 21 to February 25, 2022, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) are scheduled to take part in a bilateral exercise called Eastern Bridge-VI at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
    • The exercise would be in its sixth iteration at this point.
    • The two Air Forces’ operational capability and interoperability will be enhanced as a result.
  • Ex-Desert Knight 21 exercise: 
    • The Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force will participate in this bilateral air exercise.
  • Indra Dhanush: 
    • The Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom and the Indian Air Force are participating in a joint exercise.
  • Exercise Pitch Black: 
    • Held between India and Australia.
    • The aim of the exercise is to practice Defensive Counter Air combat and Offensive Counter Air Combat
  • AUSINDEX: 
    • Bilateral naval exercise held between the Indian Navy and the Australian Navy.
    • Both countries also hold bilateral army exercises named AUSTRAHIND.
  • Dharma Guardian: 
    • The joint military exercise named “Dharma Guardian” held between India and Japan.
    • The exercise is aimed at developing mutual understanding and respect between militaries of both countries, as also facilitates tracking worldwide phenomenon of terrorism.
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