India and UK Join Forces in First Multilateral Air Exercise Tarang Shakti
The British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, congratulated India and the United Kingdom on the ongoing multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti. She emphasized that the defence and security cooperation between the two countries extends beyond sea, land, and air.
Exercise Tarang Shakti
The Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) and counterparts from Germany, Spain, and France in the first phase of the IAF’s maiden multilateral exercise, Tarang Shakti, on Tuesday. The RAF contingent, comprising 130 personnel, six Eurofighter Typhoons, two A330 Voyager air-to-air refuellers, and an A-400M military transport aircraft, arrived at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu.
Significance of the Exercise
The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for the RAF to work closely with the IAF alongside other nations in a more challenging multilateral environment, significantly enhancing interoperability and sharing best practices, the British High Commission said in a press release.
Lindy Cameron said, “I congratulate the Indian Air Force on organising its first multilateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti, and am delighted that the Royal Air Force is one of the key participants. Our cooperation in security and defence extends across the seas, land, and air. It is crucial that our armed forces work together to preserve stability and enhance prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
Group Captain Neil Jones, Air Adviser, British High Commission, also lauded the exercise and said it adds a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between the air forces of our two countries. “Exercise Tarang Shakti adds to a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between the air forces of our two countries. Training in a multilateral environment provides a unique exposure to new challenges as well as integration of our tactics and skills across all specialisations,” 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 presence in the Indo-Pacific, whilst working with partner nations; it is a pleasure for us to be here,” he added.
Doubts Revealed
Multilateral -: Multilateral means involving more than two countries. In this case, it means that many countries are working together in the exercise.
Air Exercise -: An air exercise is a practice event where air forces from different countries come together to train and improve their skills.
Tarang Shakti -: Tarang Shakti is the name of the air exercise where India and the UK, along with other countries, are practicing together.
British High Commissioner -: The British High Commissioner is like an ambassador who represents the UK in India. Lindy Cameron is the current British High Commissioner to India.
Royal Air Force -: The Royal Air Force, or RAF, is the air force of the United Kingdom. They are participating in the exercise with India.
Indian Air Force -: The Indian Air Force is the air force of India. They are hosting and participating in the exercise.
Sulur Air Force Station -: Sulur Air Force Station is a place in Tamil Nadu, India, where the air exercise is happening.
Interoperability -: Interoperability means that different countries’ air forces can work well together, even though they have different equipment and methods.
Group Captain -: Group Captain is a high rank in the air force. Neil Jones is a Group Captain who talked about the importance of the exercise.
