Air forces from the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Bangladesh and several other countries are set to participate in ‘Tarang Shakti’, India’s largest multilateral air exercise. This exercise will serve as a platform to showcase India’s defence prowess and promote interoperability among the participating forces. The first phase of ‘Tarang Shakti’ will be conducted at Sulur in Tamil Nadu from August 6 to 14, followed by the second phase from August 29 to September 14 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Fifty-one countries were invited to take part in the exercise, and nearly 30 of them will be taking part in it. Air Marshal A P Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), termed it a “landmark event” in Indian military history and the largest international air exercise ever conducted in India, with invitations extended to 51 countries.
“We have confirmation from 10 countries which will participate with their assets, and 18 countries as observers. One more country is likely to join in, so including India, it is likely to become a 30-country exercise,” he said and added, “This exercise will also showcase India’s defence prowess and move towards ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence.”
Exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ aims to strengthen strategic relationships with “our friends from the international community”, he said. “Complex missions are planned to enhance our mutual understanding of air operations and air power application and to allow us to practice multiple combat scenarios in a realistic environment. It is also an excellent opportunity for all of us to share our best practices with each other,” he revealed.
Rafale from France, Typhoon from Germany, F-18 from Australia, and F-16 from Greece, among others, will participate in the ‘Tarang Shakti’ exercise. According to an IAF officer during a presentation to the media on 31 July, the Indian Air Force’s LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000, and Rafale will also take part in the mega exercise.
“We will see assets like F-18, A-18, C-130 aircraft, F-16 aircraft, A-10, KC-130 aircraft, and KC-135 aircraft, along with all the assets of the Indian Air Force, taking part in this exercise. Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale from other countries will also be taking part,” Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh said.
The first part will be conducted in the Sulur area in Tamil Nadu. This phase will include four countries, Germany, France, Spain, and the UK, with their assets. The Indian Navy will also participate in phase one of the air exercise with MiG-29K aircraft.
“Phase two will be held at Jodhpur, and that will see participation from Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, the UAE, and the US with their assets. Along with that, 18 countries will be sending observers and not their air assets,” the VCAS said. Given the diverse participation and also to cater to the requirements of certain friendly foreign countries, “we have decided to do it in two parts,” he added.
Air Marshal Singh said this exercise will display “Indian capabilities and capacity” both in flight and in exhibition. From India, LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000, Rafale, LCH Prachand, Dhruv, and Rudra will take part in the flying part, showcasing India’s indigenous products.
“One of the main objectives of this exercise is to showcase the booming indigenous defence ecosystem in India and also to highlight our resolve towards Atmanirbharta,” he said.
Ravi Shankar
