📍New Delhi | 7 Feb, 2026, 4:01 PM
India Thailand Air Exercise: A significant joint air exercise is being carried out in February between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force which will be adjacent to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, near the North Malacca Straight.
This exercise is scheduled to be on February 9 and it is India-thailand Being considered a new and important step in defense relations. The navy level cooperation has been high among the two countries so far, but it is the first time when both air forces are going to practice together in such a strategic terrain. Thailand Air Exercise
India Thailand Air Exercise: Where and How to Practice?
This joint air exercise will be carried out in the area above and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is directly located near Malakka Jaldambami. It falls on the confluence of the Gulf of Ilaka Bengal and the Andaman Sea and is considered one of the most sensitive places in the Hindu-Pacific region.
Indian Air Force In this exercise, your 4 to 6 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter will take off the planes, which will fly from an airbase of Andaman. While Thailand’s Air Force will participate in this exercise with its Gripen fighter jets, which will operate from the Thai Airbase. Thailand Air Exercise
Mid-air refueling tanker also deployed aircraft
This exercise will not only be limited to fighter vs fighter training. Indian Air Force Mid-Air The refueling tanker will also deploy the aircraft, to test the operation capacity for a long distance.
Also, the Airborne Warring and Control System i.e. AWS will also be part of this exercise. These work is to monitor the sky, control air traffic and provide real-time information to fight aircraft.
At the same time, the Indian Navy will also deploy its warship in the surrounding marine area, so that if any emergency arises, the Search and Rescue operation can be done immediately. Thailand Air Exercise
What is practice motive?
The biggest objective of this Joint Air Exercise is to strengthen interoperability between both air forces i.e. mutual synergy. Different countries work with aircraft, different systems, and different strategies. This exercise in such a way will give a chance to understand how fast and accurately both forces can work in the event of a crisis.
In addition, the best practices will be shared in it, i.e. both countries will learn from each other’s operation methods, technics and experiences. The capabilities like long-distance flight, logistics support, mid-air refueling, and operation in remote areas will also be tested. Thailand Air Exercise
Why is the practice special with Malacca Straight?
Malacca Jaldroom is one of the world’s busiest marine business routes. Nearly 80 per cent of marine trade and oil supply between Asia, Europe and Middle East passes through the same way.
The location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands gives India a strategic ability to monitor the entire terrain. The air practice here suggests that India and its partners are serious about the security of the Hindu-Pacific region.
The practice also shows that India is willing to take responsibility not just for itself, but for the stability of the entire region and marine security. Thailand Air Exercise
Defence Relations ahead of the Navy
Defence relations between India and Thailand were previously considered limited to the Navy. The two countries are doing maritime patrols, corpaats and other naval exercises. But now this direct cooperation at the Air Force level leads this relationship to a new height.
This exercise is also part of the growing defence relations with the Act East Policy of India and ASEAN countries. Hawaiian practice with a country like Thailand gives a message that India is emerging as a trustworthy security partner in Southeast Asia. Thailand Air Exercise
Overcoming months and older exercises
According to the formulas, this practice is just the beginning. The Indian Air Force in February and March 2026 is also going to do large joint exercises with countries like France, America and Greece. It cleans that the Indian Air Force is continuously strengthening its global retouch and operational capacity. Thailand Air Exercise
