NEW DELHI: The first-ever multi-nation ‘Tarang Shakti‘ air combat exercise to be hosted by India kicked off at Sulur in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, with Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon jets as well as military aircraft from France, Germany, UK and Spain taking to the skies along with frontline IAF fighters.
Phase-II of the mega exercise will be conducted with other countries at Jodhpur from Aug 29 to Sept 12 after Phase-I concludes on August 14.In all, 67 fighters and military aircraft from 10 countries and observers from another 18, will take part in Tarang Shakti to strengthen India’s military interoperability and strategic partnerships across the globe.
India itself will deploy 75 to 80 fighters, aircraft and helicopters for the exercise. “The landmark Tarang Shakti exercise’s aim is to build mutual trust, explore further avenues for interoperability and inculcate each other’s best practices, strengthening our strategic relations with friendly foreign countries,” IAF vice chief Air Marshal A P Singh had said earlier.
On Tuesday, Air Marshal Singh flew a Tejas fighter from Sulur for “an aerial rendezvous” with the German Air Force commander Lt-Gen Ingo Gerhartz in a Typhoon jet during the exercise.
India is also showcasing its defence production capabilities and capacity through expositions on the side-lines of the exercise as well as arrange visits of foreign officials to defence R&D and technical hubs at Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
German ambassador Philipp Ackermann said, “Tarang Shakti is Germany’s first joint exercise with India on the subcontinent. Very exciting to witness it on the ground – and in the air! It showcases our deepened partnership with India for a secure and prosperous region, together with our European friends.”
British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, in turn, said she was delighted that the Royal Air Force was one of the key participants in Tarang Shakti. “Our cooperation in security and defence extends across the seas, land, and air. It is crucial that our armed forces work together to preserve stability and enhance prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” she said.
French ambassador Thierry Mathou said his country, as “India’s trusted partner”, was proud to take part in the exercise. “Our contingent joins India as part of an extended deployment in the Indo-Pacific, which reflects France’s commitment as a resident power of the region,” he said.
Phase-II of the mega exercise will be conducted with other countries at Jodhpur from Aug 29 to Sept 12 after Phase-I concludes on August 14.In all, 67 fighters and military aircraft from 10 countries and observers from another 18, will take part in Tarang Shakti to strengthen India’s military interoperability and strategic partnerships across the globe.
India itself will deploy 75 to 80 fighters, aircraft and helicopters for the exercise. “The landmark Tarang Shakti exercise’s aim is to build mutual trust, explore further avenues for interoperability and inculcate each other’s best practices, strengthening our strategic relations with friendly foreign countries,” IAF vice chief Air Marshal A P Singh had said earlier.
On Tuesday, Air Marshal Singh flew a Tejas fighter from Sulur for “an aerial rendezvous” with the German Air Force commander Lt-Gen Ingo Gerhartz in a Typhoon jet during the exercise.
India is also showcasing its defence production capabilities and capacity through expositions on the side-lines of the exercise as well as arrange visits of foreign officials to defence R&D and technical hubs at Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
German ambassador Philipp Ackermann said, “Tarang Shakti is Germany’s first joint exercise with India on the subcontinent. Very exciting to witness it on the ground – and in the air! It showcases our deepened partnership with India for a secure and prosperous region, together with our European friends.”
British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, in turn, said she was delighted that the Royal Air Force was one of the key participants in Tarang Shakti. “Our cooperation in security and defence extends across the seas, land, and air. It is crucial that our armed forces work together to preserve stability and enhance prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” she said.
French ambassador Thierry Mathou said his country, as “India’s trusted partner”, was proud to take part in the exercise. “Our contingent joins India as part of an extended deployment in the Indo-Pacific, which reflects France’s commitment as a resident power of the region,” he said.