India Kicks Off its Largest Multinational Exercise – Tarang Shakti
Tarang Shakti 2024 is the largest multinational air exercise organised by the Indian Air Force. The exercise will be organised in two phases involving representatives from around 50 countries. The first phase of the exercise started on 6 August in Sulur and will conclude on 12 August. The second phase of the exercise will kick off next month, in September at Jodhpur, and will conclude on the 14 September.
The first phase of the exercise involves aircraft from France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. LCA Tejas being flown by Air Marshall AP Singh welcomed the French, German, and Spanish contingent as they were entering India. It is the first time that the German Air Force has participated in an exercise in India. The German contingent led by the Chief of the German Air Force features five Eurofighter Typhoons and an A-400M. Last month three German Eurofighters set a new record for the longest Eurofighter flight, following a 10 hour and 31 minute flight from Japan to Hawaii.
- German Air Force – Typhoons and A-400M
- Royal Air Force – Typhoons and A330 MRTT
- Spanish Air Force – Typhoons and A-400M
- French Air Force – Rafales and A330 MRTT
The Indian Air Force is participating with SU-30 MKI, Rafale, Mirage-2000 as well as its indigenous fighter jet – Tejas, with support aircraft like IL-78, AWACS, and C130. The Indian Navy will also be joining the first phase of Tarang Shakti with its MiG-29K and P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Tarang Shakti will include the following flying exercises in the 2 phases:
- Large Force Engagement (LFE)
- BVR and WVR Combat Missions
- Dynamic Targeting
- Air-to-Air Refuelling Missions
- Combat Search and Rescue
- Air Mobility Operations
- High-Value Air Asset Protection and Busting
- Low Light Operations
Tarang Shakti will also feature a defence exposition to showcase the indigenous capability of the Indian industry as well as the participation of LCA Tejas, LCH Prachand, ALH Mk IV Rudra and Akash Air Defence system. The foreign delegations will also visit the defence technology hubs at Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The second phase of the exercise will see participation from more countries, like – Australia, Greece, Singapore, UAE, and the US.