Current Affairs - Defence - Discussion

The Indian Air Force carried out its first international air exercise of 2026 with Thailand, specifically with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The joint drills were conducted near the strategically significant Strait of Malacca, a key maritime chokepoint handling nearly one-quarter of global seaborne trade and a substantial share of global energy shipments. The exercise featured IAF’s Su-30MKI fighters alongside Thailand’s Gripen aircraft and focused on advanced aerial combat, mid-air refuelling, surveillance integration, and maritime domain awareness. The engagement strengthens Indo-Thai defence cooperation and enhances India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.