IAF and Royal Thai Air Force conduct joint exercise near Malacca Strait

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are currently undertaking a joint in‑situ air exercise near the Malacca Strait , scheduled from February 9 to 13 , aimed at enhancing operational coordination, interoperability and defence cooperation between the two nations, officials said on Wednesday.

In a statement shared on X, the IAF described the drills as vital for strengthening bilateral synergy and boosting mutual understanding of tactics, procedures and communication protocols. The exercise features a range of key Indian air assets, including Su‑30MKI multirole fighters, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, along with IL‑78 aerial refuelling tankers. These platforms are operating alongside RTAF Gripen fighter jets, underscoring growing defence ties between the two air forces.

Unlike large‑scale deployments, this in‑situ exercise is conducted from existing bases, allowing both sides to practise integrated operations, refine communication systems, and improve interoperability in simulated real‑world scenarios. The inclusion of mid‑air refuelling and airborne surveillance assets aims to enhance sustained operations over long distances and busy international airspace.

The choice of the Malacca Strait as the theatre for this exercise carries strategic significance, given its role as a major maritime chokepoint linking the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea and supporting a large portion of global trade and energy shipments. Defence analysts note that joint exercises in such corridors help build maritime and air security cooperation amid evolving regional security dynamics.

The air drill reflects broader Indo‑Thai defence cooperation , rooted in a decades‑long partnership that has progressed from diplomatic ties, established in 1947, to multifaceted engagement across defence, trade, connectivity, culture and people‑to‑people exchanges. A Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed in 2012 has provided a framework for regular dialogues, joint patrols, exchanges and training initiatives.

Recent high‑level engagements, including a 2025 official visit to India by the Chief of Defence Force of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, further reinforce commitments at the strategic level.