Inaugural Tarang Shakti exercise shows air forces’ interoperability for Free and Open Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff
Fighter jets from 10 countries gathered recently at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan, India, for the inaugural Tarang Shakti, the Indian Air Force-led exercise to foster multinational defense cooperation.
The exercise’s second phase was from August 30 to September 14, 2024. It was designed to enhance interoperability in counter air, reconnaissance, airlift, air defense and close air support capabilities.
“Tarang Shakti is an opportunity to combine cultures and perspectives while building security and interoperability with our participating and observing partners,” Air Marshal AP Singh, vice chief of the Indian Air Force staff, said in a news release. “The spirit of collaboration and embracing diversity is key to not only better executing flying maneuvers, but also to broaden people’s minds.”
IMAGE CREDIT: SENIOR AIRMAN SABRINA FULLER-JUDD/U.S. AIR FORCE
Participants included Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Eighteen countries attended as observers. The exercise involved nearly 70 fighter jets, according to the India Today news magazine. The first phase was conducted August 6 to 14 with France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
“There is no AOR [area of responsibility] that is more important than the Pacific,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Davis, deployed forces commander in India. “As Allies and Partners, we grow stronger by developing relationships through exercises like this. The more that we come together to train and to share, the more we learn from and understand one another in ways that allow us to operate most effectively in this complex and diverse AOR.”
During the exercise, Singh was part of a landmark event for India’s defense forces. He and the vice chiefs of the Indian Army and Navy flew in the domestically manufactured light combat aircraft Tejas. Singh flew the lead fighter, and Lt. Gen. NS Raja Subramani and Vice Adm. Krishna Swaminathan flew in a Tejas twin-seater.
It was the first time the three services’ vice chiefs have flown together in one event and demonstrated the growing focus on all-domain cooperation.
IMAGE CREDIT: ABACA VIA REUTERS
The flight also symbolized India’s defense manufacturing prowess and was a significant achievement for the nation’s “Make in India” initiative, the Defence Ministry said. The multirole fighter is designed to meet the needs of India’s Armed Forces while reducing reliance on imports.
Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, said participating in Tarang Shakti demonstrated Australia’s commitment to supporting regional partners and fostering international cooperation to address regional security challenges.
“India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and through the comprehensive strategic partnership between Australia and India, the government is continuing to prioritize practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability,” Chappell said.
