Achieving New Heights

Tarang Shakti showcased the country’s military capabilities and strengthened international cooperation

Tarang Shakti Phase-II, the largest multinational air exercise hosted by Indian Air Force, which started on August 30 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, concluded successfully on September 14.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 12 witnessed the aerial display of attack helicopter Prachand, Sarang, Suryakriyan and fighter jet LCA Tejas.

Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister said, this exercise was aimed at showcasing country’s military capabilities and strengthening international cooperation among the participating nations. He said, “Tarang Shakti is a medium to build cooperation and mutual trust between the friedly countries”.

Lauding the country’s rising military might, Mr. Singh said that earlier India used to import the defence equipment, but now it is already exporting defence products to 90 countries. He said, “the country is manufacturing defence equipment as per its need and building cooperation with friendly countries to manufacture high tech and niche defence products of other countries also”.

Importantly, this strategically significant exercise drew participation from various countries featuring a diverse array of fighter jets and aircraft.

In the second phase of Tarang Shakti exercise, United States fight jets, F-16, A-10, United Arab Emirates F-16, Australia EA 18, Japan F2, and Greence F 16 have participated and displayed their prowess. Apart from the fighter jets, Singapore-C-130, Sri Lanka- Super King B 200, United States KC 135, UAE global 6000 also displayed their aerial skills.

This exercise was designed to enhance India’s defence ties with the participating nations while demonstrating its indigenous defence capabilities. The exercise provided a unique platform for building mutual trust, exploring avenues for interoperability and fostering strategic cooperation among the participating nations.

These values of integrity, service, and excellence flourished amidst the Tarang Shakti 24 exercise, which was led by the Indian Air Force.

This was the first iteration of Tarang Shakti, allowing the squadron the opportunity to share and learn from various partners at Jodhpur Air Force Station.

“This exercise is unique, in that we get an opportunity to train with the Indian Air Force, and other participating nation’s aircraft, like the Su-30, Rafale, Mirage 2000, and others,” said Lt. Col. Justin Davis, 25th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Commander and Deployed Forces Commander of the US. “Very few Air Force pilots get the chance to fly alongside these particular types of aircraft or the pilots that fly them, so this training we do here is very rewarding and the partnership we’re building with other squadrons from multiple nations is very valuable.”

During the exercise, Davis took flight with Group Capt. Uttar Kumar, IAF 4th Squadron commanding officer, sharing the skies and their excitement for Tarang Shakti.

“We share a rich history between both the 25th FS and the 4th Squadron by the year of their birth,” said Kumar, responsible for the 4th Squadron, which remains the oldest squadron in the IAF. “Our compatibility of practice, thought process and aerospace safety concerns are similar and shows, going forward, that our Air Forces, not just IAF or U.S. but all Air Forces in this exercise can learn a lot from each other to enhance our capabilities.”

The A-10’s virtues are embodied by those who maintain and fly the iconic aircraft; building upon their experiences alongside Allies from the perspective of the A-10.

“My dad would tell me stories of being protected by the A-10 while under fire, during his service in the Marine Corps.,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colby Jansen, 25th FGS avionics technician. He expressed his joy in sharing his experiences with IAF members, while creating memorable stories of his own while in India.

The 25th FS and 25th FGS, affectionately named the Assam Draggins, know that the connections built here are ones that the crews behind the aircraft can carry forward in their Air Force career and into their unit’s culture.

The A-10’s memorable twin turbo engines support the aircraft in taking flight. Similarly, the 25th FS and 25th FGS support each other, and help improve the unyielding strategic partnership with the IAF; fueling one another’s resolve for regional security and stability.

“Our pilots bring an experience and dedication to close air support and ground attack that is unmatched,” said Davis. “Likewise, other units from other nations bring unique capabilities and their own experience and dedication to their specialty mission. We learn from each other, make each other better and build a stronger relationship in the process.”

The effects of the A-10’s participation in this exercise was Tarang, “meaning to ripple”. The aircrew and pilots resolution to TS24 Phase II will ripple to various career fields and flying concepts, fortifying the purpose of which the A-10 has served; to deter and defend for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

It may be noted that the first phase of the exercise was conducted from 6th to 14th of the last month.

On the sidelines of this exercise, lAF had organized the India Defence Aviation Exposition IDAX-24, which was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

This edition of IDAX at Jodhpur had a grand participation from industry and hosted a wide range of products, technologies. This was an opportunity for the FFCs and Indian audiences to witness, experience and interact with participants from Indian Aviation Industry including DPSUs, DRDO, Private Industries (Tier-I, Il, III) and top notch Start-Ups.

IDAX aimed to showcase indigenous skills and indomitable spirit of Indian Aviation Industries to a wide spectrum of decision-makers and end users from Global Air Forces participating in Tarang Shakti 2024.

Participation of Friendly Foreign Countries in the exposition helped India’s Aerospace industry seek export opportunities, integrate into the supply chain of Foreign OEMs and ensure collaboration for co-production/ co-development of India’s Defence needs.

IAF’s Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD) participated in the exposition with partner startups. These startups are expected to showcase niche technologies and products like RF Gun to counter unmanned aerial threat, High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS), Loitering ammunition, Air-launched Flexible asset, Augmented Reality /Virtual Reality (AR/VR) smart glasses tech tool for training, Expandable Active Decoys, Real-time aircrew health monitoring system and Foldable field mats to mitigate quick runway repair, highlighting the growing strength and potential of India’s aerospace sector.

lAF has been playing a pivotal role in nurturing innovators, startups, and MSMEs identifying, developing and implementing innovative solutions. Through dedicated mentoring and guidance, DAD is steering these entities toward developing cutting-edge technologies that align with the future requirements of the lAF, thereby strengthening the government’s push towards ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance).

This Exposition proved to be the best platform for the Aviation and Defence Sector Industrial Partners to connect with IAF’s Innovation Directorate and decision-makers, and witness showcasing of indigenous products.