A RAF detachment has joined Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, the first ever multinational air exercise organised by the Indian Air Force.
The RAF detachment, consisting of six Typhoons from RAF Coningsby based XI (Fighter) Squadron have arrived at the Indian Air Force base at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. They will be supported by two Voyager aircraft and an Atlas aircraft from the RAF’s Air Mobility Force based at RAF Brize Norton.
The RAF detachment has recently been flying in Australia on Exercise Pitch Black as part of the Royal Australian Air Force led multinational air exercise. Now the RAF detachment is joining contingents from the German, Spanish and French Air Forces on the Indian exercise before they all return to Europe.
Exercise Tarang Shakti is designed to give the opportunity to RAF and the other European countries to fly with the Indian Air Force in a complex air environment to deliver a variety of air missions. The exercise also demonstrates the growing relationship between the RAF and the Indian Air Force and follows the Indian Air Force’s participation last year on the RAF led exercise Cobra Warrior.
Wing Commander Robertson, the Officer Commanding XI (F) Squadron said: “This exercise is another good opportunity to fly with other nations and develop our interoperability skills. It builds on the work we have done, firstly to get to Australia, flying with the French Air and Space Force on Exercise Griffin Strike, and then the three weeks we spent flying in Australia with both regional friends and allies, together with our European Allies."
“It has been a busy time for the Squadron and this deployment also builds on our exercises last year in Malaysia and Qatar and the exercise we conducted in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of this year.”
Wing Commander Robertson
“I congratulate the Indian Air Force on organising their first multi-lateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti, and am delighted that the Royal Air Force is one of the key participants. Our co-operation in security and defence extends across the seas, land, air, and space. It is crucial that our armed forces work together to preserve stability and enhance prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
Lindy Cameron
British High Commissioner to India
The UK’s long-standing participation in the exercise is an indicator of the importance the UK places on developing long standing relationships in the region and also creating new ones. It reinforces the value that the UK places on regional security and fostering closer defence ties throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
“Exercise Tarang Shakti adds to a significant milestone in the growing ongoing relationship between the air forces of our two countries. Training in a multi-lateral environment provides a unique exposure to new challenges as well as integration of our tactics and skills across all trades specialisations."
Group Captain Neil Jones
Air Advisor to the British High Commissioner
Group Captain Jones said, "For the Royal Air Force, it also demonstrates our ability to deploy and sustain air operations over great distances and maintain an effective strong presence in the Indo-Pacific, whilst working with partner nations; it is a pleasure for us to be here.”
“I strongly believe Tarang Shakti will become a regular exercise in the future. It allows us to exercise together in a complex air environment."
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Chaudhari
Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force
