Exercise Tarang Shakti is a biennial multinational air combatexercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. The first edition of the exercise, previously planned in 2023, was held in August and September 2024. The multinational air exercise is held in two phases. In each phase will 70 - 80 aircraft were deployed, with a total of 150 aircraft estimated to have taken part in the exercise.[1] In the first edition, 11 countries are participating with military assets including Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[1] In addition, 18 other countries participated as observers.[1][2][3] The Tarang Shakti 2024 was the first and largest international air exercise hosted by India.[4]
2024
The debut exercise was held in latter half of 2024, in two 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 included 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][6] The participants of the second phase include Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. 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][7][8][9] However, Bangladesh Air Force withdrew their C-130 aircraft just before the 2nd phase commenced and Sri Lankan Air Force joined in while BAF officials joined the exercise as observers.[10] Japan also confirmed its participation in the exercise few days before the second phase.[11]
A total of 150 aircraft will be deployed by IAF and other air forces which includes:[7]
On 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 the then Vice Chief of the Air StaffAir MarshalA. P. 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 GeneralIngo Gerhartz, Chief of the 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 in Indian airspace.[12][22][23] The first phase saw the participation of 10 foreign nations (Spain, Germany, France and United Kingdom) including six observers. The Indian Air Force also held the International Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX) on 9 August showcasing indigenous aviation platforms to the foreign participants.[24] HAL Tejas was assigned to the Red Force (hostile) as well as the Blue Force (friendly) and its capabilities were proven in both the cases. The design capabilities of the fighter 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. The then Indian Air Force ChiefAir Chief MarshalV. R. Chaudhari and the Chief of Spanish Air ForceAir GeneralFrancisco Braco Carbó flew onboard a Sukhoi Su-30MKI.[25]
The second phase marks the first military exercise of Greece in India. The contingent from the 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, two mid-air refuellers, two AEW&CS, three special forces aircraft and helicopters (HAL Dhruv, HAL Prachand and HAL Rudra) will participate from the Indian Air Force.[18] On 12 September 2024, Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams showcased their skills to the participants of the exercise. The senior officials told that the air forces participating in the exercise lacked a common data link which enables operators to share data with friendly foreign nations.[26] IAF also hosted the India Defence Aviation Exposition IDAX-24 from 12 to 14 September. It was inaugurated by Indian Defence MinisterRajnath Singh.[27]
