Tarang Shakti: India to host multilateral air exercise, involving air force of twelve nations for defence cooperation

In a significant development for India’s military prowess and global alliances, the Indian Air Force will conduct the multilateral aerial exercise called Tarang Shakti this year in the month of October or November in the Rajasthan sector.

The Tarang Shakti is set to be the largest multinational air exercise ever held in India It will feature a range of aircraft, including fighter jets, military transport aircraft, mid-air refuelers and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The planning stage is underway, with the exercise to take place in October and November 2023.

A total of 12 nations will be participating. Six countries are observers, and the other six will be actively performing with their respective Air Forces. This major exercise marks a momentous occasion for the IAF and underscores its growing importance in international military cooperation.

Although the participating countries have not been officially announced yet, sources in defence and security establishments have indicated that the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) nations will be present.

The QUAD is a maritime military alliance consisting of the following nations: India, the USA, Japan, and Australia. The United Kingdom will also be participating in this grand exercise.

The exercise aims to enhance coordination, interoperability, and integration among the participating air forces, sending a powerful and deadly message to potential and current adversaries in the nation.

While the Indian Army and the Indian Navy have hosted multilateral exercises in the past, this will be a remarkable milestone for the Air Force. However, the IAF has participated in war exercises with like-minded nations worldwide, building partnerships and exchanging best practices. Notably, the QUAD grouping has drawn criticism from China.

By hosting the Tarang Shakti exercises, India emphasises its commitment to strengthening regional security and its role as a reliable partner in the global defence ecosystem.

In recent times the Indian Military has focused on conducting joint exercises among its three-armed services to promote jointness and integration. These efforts will align with the broader strategic goal of establishing theater commands which will replace the existing functional commands.

Through joint exercises like Tarang Shakti, Indian Armed Forces continue to foster synergies, bolster their capabilities, and reinforce the collective defence framework. The Air Force has emerged as the as sought out partner for joint exercises as evidenced by its participation in exercises held by other air forces.

This year alone, the IAF has engaged in joint drills with the United Kingdom, France, Greece and Japan. These exercises have enabled the IAF to show its capabilities and expertise on the global stage, further cementing its position as a respected and capable air force.

While the Tarang Shakti will be an extraordinary display of multinational aerial cooperation in Indian soil, the IAF has previously participated in numerous multilateral exercises abroad. Notably, this year in April, the IAF state-of-the-art Rafale fighter jets made their overseas debut in Exercise Orion, held in France.

It also took part in Exercise INOICHIOS in Greece and Exercise Cope India (2023) alongside the United States; these exercises have facilitated invaluable training opportunities and mutual learning and strengthened diplomatic ties between India and its partner nations.

The planned exercise symbolises India’s commitment to collaborative defence and serves as a testament to its growing stature in the international arena. By hosting this historic event, India reaffirms its role as a responsible global actor.

In April 2023, the air forces of the US and India exercise Cope India 2023 across three bases in the country Kalaikunda, Panagarh, and Agra. Two supersonic US B-1 Bombers took part in Cope India for the first time. The bilateral exercise involved four US F-15 Strike Eagle jets, two C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft, and a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The IAF was represented by Su-30MKI, Rafales, Jaguars, Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft), C-17 and C-130J aircraft.