New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday hosted the multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ for the first time, featuring several aircraft including the indigenously manufactured helicopters Sarang and LCA Tejas, demonstrating their capabilities.
The inaugural two-phased air exercise took place at the Sulur air base in Tamil Nadu.
Invitations were extended to 51 countries for the air exercise, with 12 confirming their participation in ‘Tarang Shakti,’ which is set to occur in two phases. Air forces from Germany, France, Spain, and Britain were present in India for the initial phase of ‘Tarang Shakti.’
The subsequent phase is scheduled from August 29 to September 14 in Jodhpur, with participation from the air forces of the US, Australia, Greece, Bangladesh, Singapore, and the UAE.
Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari remarked on the significance of organizing ‘Tarang Shakti’ in India, highlighting it as a significant accomplishment due to its large scale.
He noted that while bilateral air exercises have been a tradition for many years, this is the inaugural multinational air exercise for India, featuring six different types of aircraft, including Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale.
An electronic warfare simulation has also been prepared, along with various radar and air defence missile systems designed to operate against adversaries in any networked environment, according to the IAF chief.
Chaudhari emphasized that the prime focus of the air exercise is on ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) and showcasing India’s indigenous capabilities.
Following the first phase of ‘Tarang Shakti,’ the IAF chief praised the LCA Tejas as a symbol of India’s success in the ‘Aatmanirbharta Abhiyan.’ The event was attended by Air Force chiefs from Spain, France, and Germany, with India’s Rafale, Sukhoi, and LCA Tejas participating in the first phase of the air exercise.
