NEW DELHI: To improve operational coordination between the two sides, India and Thailand will conduct a joint air exercise near the Strait of Malacca on Monday. The exercise will involve Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI fighters training alongside Royal Thai Air Force Gripen aircraft.
Sources said around five Su-30MKI fighters and a similar number of Gripen aircraft are scheduled to participate in the exercise. The Su-30MKI jets will operate from an Indian airbase in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while the Gripens will fly from a Royal Thai Air Force base.
The Indian Air Force will also deploy mid-air refuelling tankers and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to support extended-range operations and provide airborne surveillance during the exercise. Indian Navy warships are expected to operate in nearby waters to support search-and-rescue activities during flying operations, underlining coordination between air and maritime assets.
The exercise is being conducted in the vicinity of the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans and carrying a significant share of global trade and energy shipments. The region’s dense maritime and air traffic makes it operationally relevant for air forces engaged in surveillance, sea lane security and coordinated operations in congested environments.
The engagement reflects the gradual expansion of India–Thailand defence cooperation in recent years, particularly in the maritime domain.