Tarang Shakti Exercise

• 14 Aug 2024

On 13th August, 2024, the Indian Air Force (IAF) ecided to make the multi-national air exercise Tarang Shakti a biennial event, aiming to enhance international cooperation despite a tense Indo-Pacific climate.

• The IAF announced that the multi-national air exercise Tarang Shakti will be held every two years, with a focus on expanding participation.
• The first phase of Tarang Shakti, running from August 6 to 14, features the German, French, British, and Spanish air forces.
• The second phase, starting on 29^th August in Jodhpur, will include the US Air Force and Australian Air Force among others.
• India has never hosted a major multinational air exercise comparable to the US's Red Flag or Australia's Pitch Black before this event.
• Out of 51 invited countries, 29 responded positively, with 11 bringing aircraft and 18 participating as observers.
• The exercise is aimed at improving interoperability through shared communication protocols and tactics, rather than confronting any specific nation.
• International participants, including the chiefs of the French, German, and Spanish air forces, praised India's indigenous LCA Tejas fighter jet, highlighting its performance during the exercise.