On August 6, 2024, the Royal Air Force (RAF) commenced its participation in Exercise Tarang Shakti, the inaugural multilateral air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). This significant event brings together military aviation units from India, Germany, Spain, and France, marking a pivotal moment in international military collaboration. The RAF contingent, consisting of 130 personnel, includes six Eurofighter Typhoons, two A330 Voyager air-to-air refuelers, and an A-400M military transport aircraft, all of which have successfully arrived at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu.
The Exercise Tarang Shakti serves as an exceptional platform for enhancing cooperation between the RAF and the IAF, along with their allied nations. Group Captain Neil Jones, the Air Adviser at the British High Commission, highlighted that “training in a multilateral environment provides a unique exposure to new challenges” and emphasizes the significance of integrating tactics and skills among various air forces. The exercise is poised to reinforce operational interoperability and foster the exchange of best practices, essential components for successful joint military operations in increasingly complex global scenarios.
Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, praised the IAF for its initiative in organizing this unprecedented multilateral exercise, acknowledging the importance of cooperation in the realms of security and defence. She noted that such collaborations across air, land, and sea are crucial for preserving regional stability and enhancing prosperity, particularly in the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region. This sentiment underscores the commitment shared by these nations to ensure a secure and stable environment through joint training and operational readiness.
The RAF’s involvement in Exercise Tarang Shakti builds on its prior engagement in international military exercises, including its participation in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia, where RAF aircraft operated alongside the IAF. Furthermore, the recent collaboration between the RAF and the Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in July 2024 signifies an ongoing trend of increasing operational synergy between the armed forces of the UK and India. Notably, the relationship was further solidified when the IAF made its debut at the RAF’s multilateral Exercise Cobra Warrior in March 2023, demonstrating a reciprocal commitment to joint training initiatives.
The deployment of the six Typhoons from XI (Fighter) Squadron illustrates the RAF’s capability to conduct sustained air operations over considerable distances while maintaining an effective presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This capacity not only enhances the RAF’s operational readiness but also signifies its strategic importance as a partner nation in fostering peace and stability in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. Exercise Tarang Shakti represents an important milestone in the ongoing relationship between the RAF and the IAF. As nations face increasingly complex security challenges, the ability to operate seamlessly alongside allies is vital. The collaborative efforts fostered through this exercise are expected to enhance not only the operational effectiveness of individual forces but also contribute significantly to the collective security environment in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. As the RAF takes to the Indian skies, it not only demonstrates its commitment to international collaboration but also reinforces the vital importance of partnerships in addressing contemporary global security challenges.
