US Air Force and Indian Air Force wrap up their major air-combat exercise this week, having been going at it more or less non-stop since Nov. 7. Cope India has featured USAF F-16s against a variety of IAF hardware, including the latest Su-30MKI. Don’t expect, however, to hear a great deal about which side “won” or “lost” any particular air encounter. If recent press statements are a guide (see, for example, the Cope India story in the Nov. 17 issue of Pacific Stars & Stripes), USAF officers intend to downplay this angle. Claims of Indian victories in the last Cope India ruffled some feathers in the US Air Force.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
