IAF plans its biggest air exercise; 12 nations to participate
The exercise will aim to strengthen military ties with invited nations and to display the remarkable aircraft of the IAF.
The Indian Air Force is ready to conduct a multilateral exercise this year which will potentially bring together 12 different nations, strengthening military ties with them. The exercise has been named as ‘Tarang Shakti’ and will be the biggest air exercise to be conducted in India.
Participating countries will be a part of the exercise in both military jets and transport aircraft. Air Forces of France, the US, the UK, and Australia are likely to be a part of this mega event. According to officials, Tarang Shakti will be held around October-November this year, six air forces are expected to participate in the event, and the rest will be observers. A final approval from the government is still pending.
The IAF is likely to join in another exercise in Egypt, said officials. Earlier this year, IAF took part in many joint exercises with Greece, France, the UK, and Japan. Exercise Orion at the Mont-de-Marsan airbase in France, debuting the French-origin Rafaele jets in an overseas exercise. The joint exercise also consisted of the air forces of the US, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and the UK. Four Indian Rafaels, two II-78 refuellers, two C-17 heavy lifters, and 165 air warriors took part in the drills. In April-May, the IAF took part in the INIOCHOS exercise at Andravida base in Greece, hosted by the Hellenic Air Force. Four Su-30 MKI fighters and two C-17 heavy-lifters were a part of that exercise.
Three Rafale jets will also be the part of Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 14 for Bastille Day celebrations. PM Modi will be in France to attend the Bastille Day parade as the guest of honor.
