Starting this week, IAF to host second edition of multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is hosting the second edition of its multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti-26, from September 26 to October 12.
• The exercise is taking place at Air Force Station, Jodhpur, and adjoining air bases.
• Eight forces, including India, Australia, Bangladesh, France, the US, Germany, Sri Lanka, and UAE, are participating, with 32 countries attending as observers.
• Around 40 countries are expected to participate in total, featuring advanced combat aircraft like US F-35s and French Rafales.

Detailed Insights:

• Tarang Shakti-26 aims to enhance interoperability, analyze tactical employment philosophies, and identify best practices among participating air forces.
• The exercise will involve complex missions such as Beyond Visual Range and within Visual Range combat, air mobility, and air-to-air refuelling.
• This edition marks a significant shift for the IAF towards planning and integrating with multiple air forces simultaneously, moving beyond primarily bilateral exercises.
• The first edition of the exercise was held in August-September 2023, with 11 countries participating.
• Vice-Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit highlighted the importance of precision, integrated air defence, and multi-domain operations, drawing lessons from Operation Sindoor.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat: Air combat where targets are engaged at ranges beyond the pilot's visual sight, often using radar-guided missiles.
• Integrated Air Defence: A comprehensive, layered system combining various sensors, command and control systems, and weapon platforms to protect airspace.
• Unmanned Systems: Aircraft, ground vehicles, or naval vessels that operate without a human pilot or crew on board, often remotely controlled or autonomous.
• Multi-domain operations: Coordinated military actions across all operational domains: air, land, sea, space, and cyber, to achieve synergistic effects.