Phase two of Tarang Shakti, India’s largest international air exercise, has commenced in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Mitsubishi F-2 fighters of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are undertaking a rare overseas deployment for the Indian Air Force’s inaugural multinational air exercise. Exercise Tarang Shakti is a multi-phase exercise that has already seen participation from France, Germany, Spain, and the UK during the successful first phase, which took place from 6th to 16th August at Sulur Airbase in Tamil Nadu. The second phase is scheduled from 29th August to 14th September and will witness several firsts, including the landing of Greek fighter jets in India for the first time in history. Australia, Singapore, the UAE, and the USA are taking part. Bangladesh has also confirmed that it will send its C-130 transport aircraft.
Singapore Air Force in a post on X said, two Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) Mitsubishi F-2s landed at Paya Lebar Air Base on 27 August, making a brief stopover before continuing their journey to India for the Indian Air Force’s inaugural multilateral Exercise Tarang Shakti.
Welcome to Singapore! 🇸🇬 Earlier today, @JASDF_PAO_ENG F-2s landed at Paya Lebar Air Base for a stopover before heading to India for the Indian Air Force's inaugural Exercise Tarang Shakti. Wishing them a successful and smooth exercise ahead!
More: https://t.co/YoE6VqPFwd pic.twitter.com/Pwb3jR03G3
— The RSAF (@TheRSAF) August 27, 2024
Hellenic Air Force of Greece (HAF) has dispatched four F-16 block 52+ adv fighters of the 336 “OLYMPOS” war squadron for the first time to fly to faraway India to participate in the biggest aviation event in the world. The F-16 Tetrad took off from Araxos to land in the first phase at the King Faisal Air Base in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, near the Jordanian border, in order to refuel the fighter jets in route to 3,000 km long journey to Air Base Jodhpur, according to Greece media outlet ‘Newshub.gr’.
“The Air Force intended to involve the Air Force in the Tarang Shakti 24 with a tetra-pack Rafale fighter jet, as the Indian Air Force has the same aircraft, which would facilitate their support. However, the Indians informed that they would like the HAF to take part with F-16 fighters to enable them to train against aircraft operated by Pakistan, a country with which India is in open confrontation and very often hot episodes have been recorded in the air centred around the Kashmir region,” it reported.
The Air Force was among the first to receive an invitation to participate in Tarang Shakti 24, which includes 30 states from around the world, such as the US, Japan, Great Britain, and Australia. The report mentioned that the Greek “karakia” will have the opportunity to co-train with leading air forces worldwide and fly some of the most modern fighters in both Western and Eastern arsenals.
They will fly and train with Japanese pilots who will participate in the exercise with Mitsubishi F-2 fighters for the first time. According to the report, these fighters, known as Viper Zero, are based on the F-16 and manufactured by Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
In phase two, 27 fighter aircraft, two tankers, two airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems, and three special forces aircraft, including 40 aircraft, Prachand, Dhruv, and Apache helicopters from Indian Air Force will participate.
Ravi Shankar
