Wikipedia

Exercise Tarang Shakti

Exercise Tarang Shakti is a biennial multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. The first edition of the exercise, previously planned in 2023, will be held in 2024. The multinational air exercise is held in two phases. Each phase will see participation of 70 - 80 aircraft, with a total of 150 aircraft planned to take part in the exercise.[1] In the first edition, 11 countries are being participated with assets including Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the United States.[1] In addition, 18 other countries are participating as observers.[1][2][3] The Tarang Shakti will be the first and largest international air exercise hosted by India.[4]

Exercise Tarang Shakti
StatusActive
GenreMilitary exercise
FrequencyBiennially
Location(s)
CountryIndia
Years active0
Established2024 (2024)
Previous eventNone
Next event2024 (6 August – 14 September 2024)
ParticipantsIndian Air Force & friendly air forces

2024

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The debut exercise is being held in latter half of 2024, in 2 phases. The first phase was held at Sulur Air Force Station, Tamil Nadu from 6 August to 14 August. The participants of the first phase, other than Indian Air Force includes France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. The second phase is to be held at Jodhpur Air Force Stations, Rajasthan from 30 August to 14 September.[5] The participants of the second phase includes Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Japan, Singapore, UAE and the USA. A total of 51 nations were invited while 11 foreign nations will participate in the exercise with their assets and 18 other nations will also be present as observers.[2][6][7][8] However, Bangladesh Air Force withdrew their C-130 aircraft just before the 2nd phase commenced and Sri Lankan Air Force joined in. BAF officials will join the exercise as observers.[9]

A total of 150 aircraft will be deployed by IAF and other air forces which includes:[6]

In the afternoon of 6 August, the jets from foreign air forces touched down at Sulur AFS where the first phase of the exercise will be held. The jets were escorted by a formation of four HAL Tejas Mk 1 aircraft, one of which was piloted by Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh. The exercise began with Tejas intercepting German, French and Spanish jets as a part of the training exercise. One of the German Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoon was being piloted by Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Chief of German Air Force who flew for five hours to reach India. It is the first time that the German Air Force is participating in an exercise over the Indian soil.[10][21][22] The first phase saw the participation of 10 foreign nations (Spain, Germany, France and United Kingdom) including 6 observers. The Indian Air Force also conducted "International Defence Aviation Exposition" (IDAX) on 9 August showcasing indigenous aviation platforms to the foreign participants.[23] HAL Tejas was assigned to the Red Force (hostile) as well as the Blue Force (friendly) and its capabilities were proved in both the cases. The jet also received appreciation from the foreign pilots who piloted them. On 13 August, the Chief of French Air Force, General Stéphane Mille [fr] and the Chief of German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz piloted HAL Tejas. Also, the Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari and Chief of Spanish Air Force Air General Francisco Braco Carbó flew on a Sukhoi Su-30MKI.[24]

The phase 2 marks the first military exercise of Greece in India. The contingent from Hellenic Air Force arrived on 29 August at Jodhpur.[5] According to a report, In the second phase, a total of 40 aircraft including 27 fighter aircraft, 2 mid-air refuellers, 2 AEW&CS, 3 special forces aircraft, HAL Dhruv, HAL Prachand and HAL Rudra will participate from the Indian Air Force.[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Peri, Dinakar (2024-07-31). "IAF's largest multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti to see participation of over 150 aircraft". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  2. ^ a b "What is Tarang Shakti, the largest military exercise that India will host?". Hindustan Times. 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  3. ^ Singh, Mayank (2023-06-07). "12 countries to participate in IAF's biggest-ever exercise". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  4. ^ Jain, Alka (2024-08-06). "India's first multinational air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' to begin today. All you need to know about it". Mint. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  5. ^ a b c "Greece makes first fighter jet landing in India ahead of Tarang Shakti Phase 2". India Today. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  6. ^ a b Ray, Kalyan. "Exercise Tarang Shakti: India's Largest multinational air exercise to begin on August 6". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  7. ^ "Air Force to host 2-phase Tarang Shakti exercise, 51 countries invited". India Today. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  8. ^ Roushan, Anurag (2024-08-01). "'Tarang Shakti': India set to host its largest multinational air exercise, 51 countries invited". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  9. ^ a b "Bangladesh opts out of multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti, Sri Lanka steps in". India Today. 2024-08-30. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  10. ^ a b "India's first ever multinational air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' begins at Sulur Air Force Station". The Times of India. 2024-08-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  11. ^ "Air drills bring new thrust to India, Germany defense ties – DW – 08/05/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  12. ^ "French Air and Space Force to take part in Tarang Shakti exercise in Tamil Nadu". The Economic Times. 2024-08-05. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  13. ^ "Exercise Tarang Shakti: A Historic Multilateral Air Drill Takes Off in India". Financialexpress. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  14. ^ "RAF Typhoons make pit stop to take part in India's first multinational air exercise". www.forcesnews.com. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  15. ^ "Phase 2 of multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti starts tomorrow in Jodhpur". India Today. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  16. ^ a b c d "Phase Two Of Tarang Shakti Takes Flight In Jodhpur". Bharat Shakti. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  17. ^ "Tarang Shakti II: Australian Air Force deploys combat aircraft to India for the first time". Money Control. 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  18. ^ "PACAF joins allies, partners in Indian Air Force-led exercise to enhance diverse cooperation". af.mil. 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  19. ^ Peri, Dinakar (2024-09-08). "Military diplomacy in top gear with back-to-back exercises for three Services". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  20. ^ Lake, Jon (2024-08-28). "Japanese F-2s make rare overseas deployment for Indian exercise". AGN. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  21. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2024-08-06). "India's multi-national air exercise 'Tarang Shakti 2024' begins in Coimbatore". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-07. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  22. ^ "IAF begins its first-ever multinational exercise Tarang Shakti in Sulur with Made in India LCA Tejas in the lead". Asian News International. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  23. ^ "India hosts largest air exercise Tarang Shakti, showcases global aerial prowess". India Today. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  24. ^ "LCA proved its mettle in Tarang Shakti drills, says IAF chief". Hindustan Times. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
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