International air chiefs fly together to close Exercise Tarang Shakti 24
August 15, 2024
The Indian Air Force concluded the first phase of Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 at AF Station Sulur in Tamil Nadu with a show of multi-national synergy, and co-operation. The chiefs of the four participating air forces flew in a unique formation of two Su-30MKIs and two HAL Tejas two-seaters. The officers included Indian Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, together with General Stephane Mille, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, Lt General Ingo Gerhartz, Chief of the German Air Force, and Air General Francisco Braco Carbo, the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Air and Space Force.
Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 was the first iteration of what is planned to be a biennial exercise, and was a real multinational event involving 30 nations. The participants worked closely with the IAF in a more challenging multilateral environment, significantly enhancing interoperability and sharing best practice.
Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, congratulated the Indian Air Force on organising its first multilateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti, and said that he was: “delighted that the Royal Air Force is one of the key participants.Our co-operation 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.”
The UK RAF contingent comprised 130 personnel, six Eurofighter Typhoons, two A330 Voyager air to air refuelling tankers and an A400M Atlas military transport aircraft. arrived at Sulur Air Force Station.
Group Captain Neil Jones, Air Adviser, at the British High Commission, said: “Exercise Tarang Shakti adds to a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between the air forces of our two countries. Training in a multilateral environment provides a unique exposure to new challenges as well as integration of our tactics and skills across all specialisations. For the Royal Air Force, it also demonstrates our ability to deploy and sustain air operations over great distances and maintain an effective presence in the Indo-Pacific, whilst working with partner nations; it is a pleasure for us to be here.”
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said that: “We will definitely take up the case of having this exercise once in every alternate year. We will take a call later on how many nations we can accommodate. But definitely this is not going to be the last one.”
