India and Thailand to conduct joint air exercise near Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026

Key facts

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will commence a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026.
• The drill will be conducted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the North Malacca Strait, marking the first international air exercise for the IAF in 2026.
• India will deploy four to six Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, mid-air refuelling tankers, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
• The RTAF will participate with four to six Gripen fighter jets operating from Thai air bases.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test logistics endurance and operational sustainability in island territories within the Indian Ocean Region.
• The joint drill will include maritime search and rescue operations supported by naval vessels deployed at sea.
• Defence cooperation between the two nations is institutionalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2012 and India’s Act East policy.
• The IAF is scheduled to participate in three additional major air exercises with France, the United States, and Greece over the next two months.