Air Forces from Germany, US, France and other nations will participate in Exercise Tarang Shakti, India’s largest multilateral air exercise, showcasing defence capabilities. The first phase will be held in Sulu, Tamil Nadu from August 6 to 14 and the second phase in Jodhpur, Rajasthan from August 29 to September 14, 2024.
The multilateral air exercise was inaugurated by Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari and German Airforce Chief Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz. This is also the first time when German and Spanish Air Forces will actively participate in this aerial exercise and it is the first time India is holding a complex and large-scale exercise on its soil.
Officilas informed that Russian Federation and Israel will not participate in the exercise. As many as 51 countries were invited to participate in Exercise Tarang Shakti of which 30 will take part in it. Indian Air Force’s LCA Tejas, Mirage, Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafale will also participate in the exercise.
According to Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AP Singh, the exercise will commence with a Power Point Celebration, followed by showcasing India’s defence prowess and move towards Atmanirbharta in Defence. He termed it as a “landmark event” in Indian military history and the largest international air exercise ever conducted in the country.
“The IAF has the confirmation that 10 countries will participate with their assets and 18 countries as observers. One more country likely to join in, so including India it is likely to become a 30-country exercise, an Indian media agency quoted. Tejas Mk-1A we all know we have not got our first aircraft delivery; it is running behind schedule. And it is not expected to be available for this exercise. Many airlines will have to re-schedule their flights a little bit and re-route their flights,” the official said.
“Exercise Tarang Shakti aims to strengthen strategic relationship with our friends from the international community. Complex missions are planned to enhance our mutual understanding of air operations, air power applications and also practising multiple combat scenarios in realistic environment. It is also an excellent opportunity for all of us to share their best practises with each other,” he added.
“Our endeavour will be to demonstrate our energy and dynamism during this exercise, learn from each other, learning operating procedures, tactics and strategies. We also aim to strengthen our cultural and diplomatic relations with these countries. We look forward to the exercise and to foster deeper cooperation and understanding among the participating forces,” he said. Alongside the exercise an International Defence Aviation Exposition will be conducted which will showcase India’s indigenous defence industries.
