Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23: IAF heavy lift transport aircraft participating in joint exercise in Japan

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 2023 with the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) on Wednesday and Thursday (March 1-2).

The exercise is being organised on the sidelines of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma Guardian, which is being conducted from February 13 to March 2 at Komatsu, Japan.

The IAF contingent is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 with one C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, India's Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

It is worth noting that the exercise is being conducted at a time when the IAF’s heavy lift transport aircraft fleet is also taking part in Exercise Desert Flag VIII in UAE and Exercise Cobra Warrior in the UK.

The first phase of the exercise consists of discussions on transport operations and tactical manoeuvring, followed by the second phase of flying drills by IAF’s C-17 and JASDF C-2 transport aircraft.

One of the objectives of the exercise is to give an opportunity for the respective subject matter experts to interact and study each other’s operational philosophies and best practices. The exercise shall also enhance mutual understanding and interoperability between the IAF and the JASDF.

"Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 will be yet another step in the expanding defence cooperation between the two countries; as well as for the IAF to operate in diverse environments across the globe," the Ministry of Defence said.