July 31st 2024.
The Indian Air Force is gearing up to host an impressive air exercise, called 'Tarang Shakti', which will see the participation of air forces from the US, Germany, France, and several other countries. According to a top IAF official, this will be the largest multilateral air exercise ever conducted in India, showcasing the country's strong defense capabilities and providing a platform for participating forces to enhance interoperability.
The exercise will be divided into two phases, with the first phase taking place in Sulur, Tamil Nadu from August 6-14, and the second phase in Jodhpur, Rajasthan from August 29-September 14. Unfortunately, Russia and Israel will not be taking part in the exercise, despite being India's defense partners. However, the IAF has extended invitations to 51 countries, and around 30 of them have confirmed their participation, including France, Germany, Australia, and Greece.
During the exercise, India will be showcasing its own aircrafts such as the LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000, and Rafale. Air Marshal A P Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, expressed his excitement for the exercise, stating that it will not only demonstrate India's defense prowess, but also its progress towards self-reliance in defense. The participating countries will also be bringing in their own aircrafts, such as the Rafale from France, the Typhoon from Germany, the F-18 from Australia, and the F-16 from Greece, among others.
According to Air Marshal Singh, this exercise is a significant event in Indian military history, with invitations extended to 51 countries, 10 of which will be participating with their assets and 18 as observers. He also mentioned that one more country may join in, making it a total of 30 participating countries. When asked if the LCA Tejas Mk-1A will be taking part, the VCAS stated that it is not expected to be available for the exercise as its delivery has been delayed.
In preparation for the exercise, many airlines will need to reschedule their flights and reroute them accordingly. And in response to a query about the involvement of Agniveers, Air Marshal Singh confirmed that all Agniveers who are stationed at the bases where the exercise will take place will participate, but they will not have a specific role.
The main aim of 'Tarang Shakti' is to strengthen India's strategic relationships with its international friends. The exercise will involve complex missions that will enhance mutual understanding of air operations and power application, as well as practicing multiple combat scenarios in a realistic environment. Air Marshal Singh also highlighted the opportunity for countries to share their best practices with each other.
The exercise will be divided into two phases, with the first phase taking place in Sulur where Germany, France, Spain, and the UK will participate with their assets. The second phase in Jodhpur will see participation from Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, the UAE, and the US. Along with these countries, 18 others will be sending observers, and India will be showcasing its indigenous products such as the LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000, Rafale, LCH Prachand, Dhruv, and Rudra.
In addition to the flying part of the exercise, there will also be a naval component, with the Indian Navy participating in the first phase with one aircraft. Air Marshal Singh emphasized that one of the main objectives of 'Tarang Shakti' is to showcase India's growing defense ecosystem and its commitment to self-reliance. He also confirmed that Russia was invited to the exercise, but due to ongoing conflicts, they were unable to participate.
The exercise will also include a defense exposition, where the DRDO, defense PSUs, aviation industry, CSR labs, and top-notch startups will be participating. This will provide an opportunity for countries to learn from each other, build mutual trust, and explore avenues for interoperability. The IAF is also looking forward to fostering deeper cooperation and understanding among the participating forces. The CDS and air chiefs of several countries will also be attending, and one day will be dedicated to distinguished visitors in both phases.
Overall, the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise aims to build mutual trust, showcase India's indigenous defense capabilities, and provide a platform for countries to learn from each other. It is a significant event in Indian military history and a testament to the country's progress towards self-reliance in defense.
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