The Sulur Air Force Station where the Phase I of Exercise Tarang Shakti – 2024 is taking place. (India Sentinels photo)
Coimbatore: India’s defence history marked a significant date on Tuesday with the start of “Tarang Shakti – 2024” – the first-ever multinational air exercise organized and hosted by the Indian Air Force. The event, which kicked off at the Sulur Air Force Station in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, showcases India’s commitment to global military cooperation.
A total of 10 nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore, will be sending their fighter aircraft to participate in the drills. An additional 18 countries will observe the exercise.
#ExTarangShakti24 @Team_Luftwaffe @Armee_de_lair @EjercitoAire @RoyalAirForce @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/lwsHDxVdqZ
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 7, 2024
It may be mentioned that this would be the first time Bangladesh Air Force warplanes will fly from Indian soil.
Germany’s participation also marks a significant milestone, with Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, the chief of Germany’s air force (officially called Luftwaffe), arriving at the Sulur airbase in a Eurofighter Typhoon. The vice-chief of the IAF, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, welcomed the German air chief at the airbase. This exercise is Luftwaffe’s largest deployment of its air assets in 2024 and underscores the deepening defence ties between India and Germany.
The skies over Sulur witnessed the launch of Exercise TarangShakti 24. Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh VCAS of #IAF welcomes German Air Force Cmdr Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz and French, Spanish fighter jets in a spectacular aerial rendezvous, kicking off Phase-I.#ExTarangShakti24 #IAF… pic.twitter.com/yLNHSjM1Ua
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 6, 2024
The UK’s Royal Air Force contingent for this year’s Tarang Shakti comprises 130 personnel, six Eurofighter Typhoons, two A330 Voyager air-to-air refuellers and an Airbus A400M military-transport aircraft. Notably, the six Typhoons from RAF’s XI (Fighter) Squadron arrived in India after participating in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia, where they operated alongside the IAF.
The French contingent for the Tarang Shakti drills comprises 160 personnel, three Rafale fighters, one Airbus A330 multirole tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft and one Airbus A400M transport aircraft.
The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, highlighted the exercise’s importance in enhancing operational efficiency and coordination among diverse aircraft formations. He said, “The exercise tests coordination among diverse aircraft formations. Key challenges include managing data links and ensuring seamless communication, with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency.”
#ExTarangShakti24. Phase-I commences in Sulur. In a press conference at Sulur, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari welcomes Friendly Foreign Countries in a landmark multilateral air exercise. Highlighting indigenization, trust, and interoperability, this event is set to become a… pic.twitter.com/ochduDfNuq
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 6, 2024
The first phase of the Tarang Shakti air drills will continue until August 13 at the Sulur airbase, followed by the second phase from August 29 to September 14 at the Jodhpur airbase in Rajasthan, as India Sentinels had reported earlier. This extensive exercise aims to build mutual trust, enhance and explore further avenues for interoperability, and share best practices among participating nations. The event also aims to demonstrate India’s capabilities in hosting large-scale military exercises and showcase India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
The Indian Air Force’s homemade Tejas Mk-1 fighter jet is among the more established aircraft, like the Rafale, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 participating in the Tarang Shakti exercise.
Beyond aerial manoeuvres, the exercise will also include ground training, a defence exposition, and cultural exchange programs. Apart from this, foreign officials are scheduled to various defence facilities across Bengaluru and Hyderabad to have a first-hand look at India’s defence-production capabilities and foster international business ventures.
Exercise TarangShakti 24-Phase-I Sulur, under the aegis of #एक_पेड़_माँ_के_नाम /#Plant4Mother All the participating Friendly Foreign Countries joined hands together to spread the message of environment sustainability.@Team_Luftwaffe@Armee_de_lair@EjercitoAire@RoyalAirForce… pic.twitter.com/KYWM7GpDjE
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 7, 2024
Tarang Shakt – 2024 is seen as a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen its position as a global military and diplomatic player. By hosting such a large-scale event, India is also seen as signalling its intent to be a key partner in regional and global security.
