India's Largest Ever Multinational Air Exercise 'Tarang Shakti' Starts: Homemade Tejas Mk-1 Jet To Participate

The Indian Air Force (IAF) yesterday (6 August) began its first-ever multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti, on Indian soil at Sulur Air Force Base (AFB) in Tamil Nadu.

The exercise will take place in two phases. The first phase began at Sulur AFB and will run from August 6 to 14. The second phase will be held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from August 29 to September 14.

The multinational exercise was inaugurated by IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and German Air Force Chief Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz.

Air forces from around the world, including those from Germany, France, Spain, and the Royal Air Force, are participating in this exercise.

This exercise will see the participation of the homemade Tejas Mk-1 fighter jet along with Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighter jets.

This is also the first time the German Air Force is participating in an air exercise in India.

Additionally, this is the first time India is holding such a complex and large-scale exercise on its soil.

IAF Chief ACM V R Chaudhari stated, "It is a huge feather in our cap that we have been able to organise an exercise of such a huge scale in India. We have been carrying out bilateral exercises with many countries over the years, and this is the first time we are doing a multilateral exercise of this scale. It's a challenge, and the Air Force and all participants have lived up to the challenge."

Replying to a question, Chaudhary stated, "It is not against anyone," hinting that this exercise is not targeted towards China. Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz echoed the same sentiment, saying this exercise is not against anybody.

Alongside the exercise, an International Defence Aviation Exposition will also be conducted, which will showcase India's indigenous defense industries.