IN PICS | Tarang Shakti 2024: India, Germany, France, Spain and England perform air combat excercises

It was a visual treat at the Sulur Air force Station near Coimbatore where India, Germany, france, Spain and england performed stunning air combat exercises at the closing ceremony of first phase of ‘tarang Shakti’ 2024 on tuesday. After 61 years, the first phase of multinational air exercise was successfully conducted by the Indian Air force in the country.

Governor R N Ravi who also inaugurated a three-day International Defence and Aviation exhibition at Sulur station on tuesday, watched the spectacle.

Aircraft like India’s tejas Mk1 and euro fighter typhoon along with three variants of choppers displayed their skill.

The exhibition has a total of 70 stalls.

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said that India's first multinational air combat exercise "Tarang Shakti" will now be a regular affair, after its successful culmination of first phase at Sulur in Tamil Nadu.

In the first phase of the exercise, Indian Air Force has invited a total of 51 air forces across the globe, including 10 with fighter jets. They have also invited the Air Force of Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom to participate with their respective fighter aircraft.

The IAF chief said that the second phase of the exercise is scheduled to take place at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from August 29 to September 14.

The Air Chief has also announced that indigenously manufactured single engine multi-role LCA Tejas will be participating more in national and international exercises.

Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom brought their Eurofighter Typhoon while the French came with their Rafale jets. These air forces have joined the exercise after participating in the Exercise Pitch Black held in Australia, this year.

On the last day of the exercise, Indian Air Force's indigenous aircraft and helicopter carried out an air display. Light combat helicopter (LCH) Prachand, light utility helicopter (LUH), trainer HTT-40, Sarang helicopters team and LCA enthral the audience present at Sulur Air Force station with their aerial manoeuvre.

For the first time, Germany has participated in any aerial exercise on Indian soil and its Eurofighter Typhoon carried out air manoeuvres.