The multinational air exercise “Tarang Shakti” will be held in two parts in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, India.
With invites sent to 51 nations, Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh said on Wednesday that the next air exercise, dubbed “Tarang Shakti,” will be the biggest international air exercise ever held in India.
Ten nations have confirmed that the Indian Air Force will be using its assets in the two-phase international exercise, while eighteen nations have shown interest in participating as observers.
The purpose of this exercise is to improve our strategic relationships with our global allies. We are planning complex missions to improve our shared knowledge of air operations. We all have a great chance to exchange best practices with one another,” Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh remarked.
The first phase of the exercise, which would involve the participation of assets from four countries—France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom—will take place at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, from August 6 to August 14.
But phase two will take place in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from September 1 to September 14, and countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States will participate with their assets.
Along with all of the Indian Air Force’s assets, we will see F-18, A-18, C-130, F-16, A-10, KC-130, and KC-135 aircraft participating in this exercise. Other nations’ Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale aircraft will also be participating, Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh continued.
The deputy chief marshal stated that the Indian Navy would take part in the first phase of the air exercise using MiG-29K aircraft and that showcasing the country’s thriving indigenous defense ecosystem is one of the event’s main goals.
Tejas, Prachand, Dhruv, and Rudra are among the assets that will be actively participating in the flying portion of the exercise, demonstrating India’s proficiency with domestic goods.
“We will showcase our capabilities in defense research and production in line with India’s goal to become a developed nation by 2047 and to take our defense cooperation with our friendly neighbors and countries to the next level,” Air Marshal AP Singh declared.
India’s first international air exerciseÂ
Tarang Shakti 2024 is an initiative that supports the nation’s objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by highlighting India’s defense sector and boosting military cooperation.
The aircraft used in the exercise will range from indigenous designs like the LCA Tejas to cutting-edge fighters like the Sukhoi and Rafale. A defense industrial exhibition featuring leading Indian defense corporations and cutting-edge startups will also be held during the event.
This follows the Indian Air Force’s participation in the second Air Exercise Red Flag, which took place in Alaska from June 4–14. As part of extensive force engagements, Indian Rafales participated in combined drills with Singaporean and American aircraft that covered beyond-visual-range combat scenarios in offensive counter-air and air defense missions.
Enhancing collaboration and expertise
Along with encouraging interoperability, the exercise aims to facilitate professional interactions amongst the participating forces. It provides air forces with an invaluable chance to share best practices and broaden their knowledge of modern aerial combat tactics. A wide and informative exchange of information and skills is ensured by the exercise’s diverse mix of participating nations and aircraft. There will be exhibits from both corporate and governmental sector organizations at the defense show.
