India hosts a three-day international defence and aviation exhibition at Sulur Airbase to demonstrate its research and defence production capabilities during the first phase of the Exercise Tarang Sakthi 2024 air war game. In a first, the defence aviation expo witnessed participation from five defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), 20 private companies, 20 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 16 start-ups leveraging foreign investments and indigenous exports. The expo offers a great opportunity for European investments to enhance India’s builder’s defence ecosystem and boost its position as a global player.
Germany is flying its Typhoons and Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), the A-400M, at the Tarang Shakti. The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently issued a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender to replace its ageing fleet of AVRO-748 and An-32s. Makers of A-400M, Airbus, an European consortium comprising Germany, France and Spain, is competing for the IAF tender, and the German Air Force is showcasing its capabilities in war simulations to gain an edge over its competitors. India has diversified its MTA acquisition by procuring Spain’s first batch of C-295s in 2023, and the second phase of the order is being produced in India.
“We saw the exhibition, attack helicopter flying, the Light Utility Helicopter, Tejas, that’s high-tech made in India. The exhibition is unbelievable, I really liked the exhibition part of the exercise,” observed German Air Chief Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz in a joint press conference with French, Spanish and Indian counterparts on Tuesday in Sulur.
The expo showcased aircraft and aircraft parts, helicopters, unmanned air systems, missiles, and long-range glider bombers. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) displayed its various made-in-India weapon systems at the ongoing Tarang Shakti exercise. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi inaugurated the expo. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, DRDO Chief Samir V Kamat, and several other dignitaries visited the exposition stalls. On this occasion, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said DRDO is fully prepared to meet the requirements of the armed forces.
DRDO Chairperson Samir V Kamat mentioned that the Tarang Shakti exercise of the Indian Air Force provides an opportunity for the DRDO to showcase domestic weapons. “The Tarang Shakti exercise of the Air Force is an excellent example of all the domestic products we are developing. The display of these products instils confidence in all our countrymen that the Air Force is fully capable of defending the country when needed,” he said.
Ravi Shankar, In Sulur Airbase, Tamil Nadu
