Air Exercise Tarang Shakti – In a historic milestone for Indian military diplomacy, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, the largest multinational air exercise ever hosted by India. Held in two phases between August and September 2024, this biennial event brought together air forces from 30 countries, including 11 participating with their assets and 18 as observers.
| Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 Summary | |
|---|---|
| Overview | India's largest multinational air exercise, held in 2024, involving 30 countries (11 with assets, 18 observers) across two phases. |
| Objectives | Enhance interoperability, showcase indigenous platforms (e.g., LCA Tejas), foster strategic ties, and promote regional stability. |
| Phase I: Sulur | August 6–14, 2024, at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, with France, Germany, Spain, UK; featured BVR combat, IDAX exposition, 205 sorties. |
| Phase II: Jodhpur | August 30–September 14, 2024, at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, with Australia, USA, Greece, others; included 800+ sorties, aerobatic displays. |
| Participants & Assets | 150 aircraft; IAF (Su-30 MKI, Tejas), USA (F-16, A-10), France (Rafale), Greece (F-16), etc.; Russia, Israel absent. |
| Significance | Boosted interoperability, showcased India’s defense tech, strengthened Indo-Pacific ties, and positioned IAF as a global player. |
| Future Prospects | Planned as a biennial event, with focus on more nations, AI, unmanned systems, and addressing logistical challenges. |
The exercise, conducted at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan, underscored India’s growing stature as a global defense player, its commitment to fostering interoperability, and its advancements in indigenous defense capabilities.
This article delves into the details of Tarang Shakti 2024, its objectives, participants, operational highlights, and its significance in the context of India’s defense and diplomatic ambitions.
Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 : Background and Objectives
Exercise Tarang Shakti, meaning "wave of power," was conceptualized as India’s answer to renowned multinational air exercises like the U.S.-led Red Flag, NATO’s Air Defender, and Australia’s Pitch Black.
Initially planned for 2023 but deferred due to scheduling constraints, the exercise was held in 2024, marking the first such large-scale multinational air exercise hosted by India since Exercise Shiksha in 1963.
The IAF extended invitations to 51 friendly nations, reflecting India’s expansive diplomatic outreach and its intent to strengthen strategic partnerships.
The primary objectives of Air Excercise Tarang Shakti 2024 were:
- Enhancing Interoperability: To foster seamless coordination among diverse air forces by sharing tactics, strategies, and operational procedures.
- Showcasing Indigenous Capabilities: To highlight India’s advancements in defense manufacturing, particularly platforms like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
- Building Strategic Relationships: To deepen military cooperation and trust with participating nations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
- Professional Exchange: To provide a platform for air forces to learn from each other’s combat experiences, operational philosophies, and technological advancements.
- Promoting Regional Stability: To reinforce India’s role as a key player in ensuring security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
As Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, emphasized, “This is a training exercise where we learnt how to operate an aircraft with or without a datalink, how to create a common communication protocol, and common tactics and programmes. There is no other objective.” The exercise was explicitly positioned as a collaborative effort, not a challenge to any nation.
Structure and Phases of Air Excercise Tarang Shakti 2024
Tarang Shakti 2024 was conducted in two distinct phases, each hosted at a strategically significant IAF base:
Phase I: Sulur, Tamil Nadu (August 6–14, 2024)
The first phase took place at Sulur Air Force Station, located near Coimbatore in southern India. It involved air forces from France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, alongside the IAF.
Approximately 70–80 aircraft participated, including 32 foreign assets. The phase commenced with a ceremonial welcome, where four HAL Tejas Mk 1 aircraft, one piloted by then-Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal A.P. Singh, escorted incoming foreign jets, including a Eurofighter Typhoon flown by Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Chief of the German Air Force, who completed a five-hour solo flight to reach Sulur.
Key highlights of Phase I included:
- Operational Missions: The phase featured beyond visual range (BVR) combat exercises, large force engagements, and air defense scenarios. The IAF’s LCA Tejas was assigned roles in both Red Force (hostile) and Blue Force (friendly) teams, earning praise for its maneuverability and versatility from foreign pilots, including Major Alexis Galouzeau of the French Air Force.
- Participation of Air Chiefs: A unique joint mission saw four air chiefs—ACM V.R. Chaudhari (IAF, Su-30 MKI), General Stéphane Mille (France, LCA Tejas), Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz (Germany, LCA Tejas), and Air General Francisco Braco Carbó (Spain, Su-30 MKI)—fly together, symbolizing multinational synergy.
- International Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX): Held on August 9, IDAX showcased India’s indigenous platforms, including the LCA Tejas, LCH Prachand, and advanced radars, to foreign delegates, reinforcing India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
Phase I concluded with 205 sorties flown, demonstrating robust coordination among diverse aircraft formations.
Phase II: Jodhpur, Rajasthan (August 30–September 14, 2024)
The second phase was held at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan, involving air forces from Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
This phase saw participation from 27 fighter aircraft, two mid-air refuelers, two airborne early warning and control systems (AEW&CS), three special forces aircraft, and helicopters from the IAF, alongside foreign assets.
Notable aspects of Phase II included:
- Greece’s Historic Participation: Marking its first military exercise in India, the Hellenic Air Force deployed four F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, reciprocating India’s participation in Greece’s Iniochos exercise in 2023.
- Bangladesh’s Involvement: Despite political upheaval following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh participated with C-130 aircraft, though it later withdrew its assets, with officials attending as observers. Sri Lanka stepped in to participate with assets.
- Aerobatic Displays: On September 12, the IAF’s Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams showcased their skills, adding a cultural and operational highlight for participants.
- High-Intensity Operations: Over 800 sorties were flown, covering complex mission profiles such as air mobility operations, dynamic targeting, low-light operations, and high-value aerial asset protection.
The phase concluded with an aerial display witnessed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who hailed the exercise as a testament to India’s growing military stature and the prowess of its aerospace industry.
Participating Nations and Assets
Tarang Shakti 2024 saw an impressive array of aircraft from 11 nations, with a total of 150 aircraft deployed across both phases. The participating countries and their assets included:
- Indian Air Force: Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, Rafale, HAL Tejas Mk 1, SEPECAT Jaguar, MiG-29, C-130J, Il-78MKI, Netra AEW&CS, LCH Prachand, Apache, Rudra, and ALH Dhruv. The Indian Navy contributed MiG-29K fighters in Phase I.
- Australia: Three Boeing EA-18G Growlers (No. 6 Squadron).
- France: Three Rafale fighters, one Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT), and one A400M.
- Germany: Eurofighter Typhoons and an A400M transport aircraft.
- Greece: Four F-16 Block 52+ and two C-130 Hercules.
- Japan: Two Mitsubishi F-2 fighters.
- Singapore: F-16 Fighting Falcons and C-130 transport aircraft.
- Spain: Eurofighter Typhoons.
- Sri Lanka: Assets joined in Phase II after Bangladesh’s withdrawal.
- United Arab Emirates: F-16s and AWACS support.
- United Kingdom: Eurofighter Typhoons.
- United States: F-16 Fighting Falcons (148th Fighter Wing), A-10 Thunderbolt II (25th Fighter Squadron), Bombardier E-11A, KC-135 Stratotanker (909th Air Refueling Squadron), C-130H Hercules (139th Airlift Wing), and C-17 Globemaster III (62nd Airlift Wing).
Eighteen countries, including Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Argentina, Nepal, Oman, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, participated as observers, gaining insights into operational and tactical aspects of the exercise.
Notably, Russia and Israel, traditional defense partners of India, did not participate.
Russia cited its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while Israel’s absence was not officially explained.
Operational and Strategic Significance
Tarang Shakti 2024 was a landmark event for several reasons:
- Interoperability and Skill Enhancement: The exercise allowed IAF pilots to engage with diverse aircraft, such as Rafale, Typhoon, F-16, and F-18, honing their skills in varied combat scenarios. It emphasized airborne networking, ensuring seamless data exchange and connectivity, a critical factor in modern aerial warfare.
- Showcasing Indigenous Technology: The LCA Tejas, LCH Prachand, Akash missile system, and ground-based radars were prominently featured, receiving appreciation from foreign pilots and observers. The IDAX 2024 exposition, held in both phases, highlighted contributions from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), private firms, and startups, reinforcing India’s push for self-reliance.
- Geopolitical Outreach: The participation of 30 countries, including key Indo-Pacific players like Australia, Japan, and the U.S., underscored India’s growing geopolitical influence. The exercise aligned with India’s Act-East Policy and its role in groupings like the Quad, enhancing ties with East and Southeast Asian nations.
- Cultural and Diplomatic Engagement: Cultural exchanges and visits to Indian tech companies fostered goodwill and professional bonds. The presence of air chiefs and senior officials from participating nations further strengthened bilateral ties.
- Air Diplomacy: As outlined in the IAF’s 2022 doctrine, Tarang Shakti demonstrated India’s rapid response capabilities in Out of Area Contingencies (OOAC) and its commitment to supporting friendly nations, positioning air power as a tool for diplomacy.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted, “When an exercise of such complexity and large magnitude takes place, soldiers with different work cultures, air combat experiences, and war fighting principles learn a lot from each other.”
He emphasized that Tarang Shakti bolstered cooperation, coordination, and trust among partner countries.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Hosting a multinational exercise of this scale presented logistical and operational challenges:
- Coordination: Managing diverse aircraft formations, data links, and communication protocols required meticulous planning. Sulur’s unique environment tested the IAF’s ability to integrate varied systems.
- Delays in Indigenous Platforms: The absence of the LCA Tejas Mk-1A, delayed due to supply chain issues with GE Aerospace’s F404 engines and pending certifications, highlighted challenges in India’s defense production timelines.
- Observer Engagement: Ensuring meaningful participation for observer nations, who did not deploy assets, required tailored briefings and expositions to maximize their takeaways.
The IAF plans to collate debrief points from both phases to refine future editions of Tarang Shakti, with a decision on participant numbers and scope to be finalized later.
Future Prospects
The success of Tarang Shakti 2024 has paved the way for it to become a regular feature in India’s defense calendar.
IAF Chief ACM V.R. Chaudhari announced plans to make it a biennial event, stating, “We will definitely take up the case of having this exercise once in every alternate year. This is definitely not the last.”
The exercise’s scale and impact position it as a potential rival to established multinational exercises, enhancing India’s reputation as a credible host for complex military engagements.
Future editions are likely to focus on:
- Expanding participation to include more nations and assets.
- Incorporating advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, in mission profiles.
- Strengthening tri-service integration, building on the IAF’s experience with exercises like Bharat Shakti.
- Addressing logistical and production challenges to ensure the participation of platforms like the LCA Tejas Mk-1A.
Conclusion
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 was a resounding success, showcasing India’s military prowess, diplomatic reach, and commitment to self-reliance.
By bringing together 30 air forces, including 11 with assets, the IAF demonstrated its ability to orchestrate a complex multinational exercise while highlighting indigenous platforms like the LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand.
The exercise not only enhanced interoperability and professional exchanges but also reinforced India’s role as a key player in global security and the Indo-Pacific region.
As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh aptly stated, “Today’s landmark event is an opportunity to celebrate the grand achievements of IAF. We are not only celebrating the achievements of being the fastest growing economy, but also taking pride in our armed forces now being considered as one of the most powerful in the world.”
With plans to make Tarang Shakti a biennial event, India is poised to further cement its position as a leader in air power diplomacy, fostering cooperation, trust, and stability in an increasingly complex global landscape.