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AirExercise – India and Thailand are set to carry out a joint air exercise on Monday near the strategically significant Strait of Malacca, bringing together frontline fighter aircraft from both countries in a coordinated training operation focused on air combat and maritime missions.

The exercise will see the Indian Air Force deploy its Su-30MKI fighter jets alongside the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen aircraft. The training is designed to enhance operational coordination, improve interoperability, and build a shared understanding of mission procedures in complex air and sea environments.

Fighter Jets to Train in Coordinated Combat Missions

According to defence sources, around five Su-30MKI aircraft will participate in the exercise, with a similar number of Gripen fighters representing Thailand. The Indian jets will operate from an airbase located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while the Thai aircraft will fly out of a Royal Thai Air Force installation within Thailand.

The joint drills will include simulated air combat scenarios and maritime strike profiles. These missions are intended to help both air forces refine their response capabilities in real-time situations, particularly in regions marked by high air and maritime traffic.

Aerial Surveillance and Refuelling Support Deployed

To support extended operations, the Indian Air Force will also deploy mid-air refuelling tankers, enabling fighter jets to remain airborne for longer durations. An Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft will be positioned to provide radar coverage and enhance situational awareness during the exercise.

In addition to air assets, Indian Navy ships are expected to operate in nearby waters. Their role will include providing search-and-rescue support throughout the flying operations, reflecting close coordination between India’s air and maritime forces. The combined deployment highlights a multi-domain approach to training in a strategically sensitive zone.

Strategic Significance of the Strait of Malacca

The exercise is taking place near the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest and most critical maritime routes. The narrow waterway connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and carries a substantial portion of global trade, including energy shipments bound for East Asia.

Given the density of commercial shipping and aviation traffic in the area, the region presents a realistic environment for operational training. Air forces operating in such settings must manage congested airspace while maintaining readiness for maritime surveillance, sea lane protection, and coordinated response missions.

By conducting drills in this location, India and Thailand are reinforcing their ability to operate effectively in complex and strategically important corridors.

Growing India–Thailand Defence Engagement

The upcoming air exercise reflects the steady growth of defence cooperation between the two countries. Over the past several years, India and Thailand have expanded military engagement, particularly in the maritime domain, where both share security interests across the eastern Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea.

Regular interactions have included the bilateral Army exercise MAITREE, hosted alternately by the two nations. The two sides also conduct coordinated naval patrols, known as CORPAT, aimed at enhancing maritime security and improving information exchange along their shared areas of interest.

These initiatives are part of broader efforts to deepen security ties and maintain stability in the wider Indo-Pacific region. Defence cooperation between India and Thailand has increasingly focused on practical collaboration, joint training, and capacity building rather than symbolic engagements.

Monday’s joint air exercise marks another step in that direction, underlining both countries’ commitment to strengthening operational readiness and maintaining secure sea and air lanes in one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.