The Royal Air Force (RAF) detachment, en route back from Australia, has made a strategic stop in India to participate in Exercise Tarang Shakti, the first-ever multi-national air exercise organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to an announcement.
The RAF contingent, which includes six Typhoon jets from XI (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby, arrived at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu, Southern India.
They are being supported by two Voyager and an Atlas A400M aircraft from the RAF’s Air Mobility Force, based at RAF Brize Norton.
Exercise Tarang Shakti brings together air forces from Germany, Spain, France, and the UK, offering a unique opportunity to collaborate with the Indian Air Force in a complex air environment.
The exercise is designed to enhance the participating nations’ ability to conduct a variety of air missions while fostering interoperability and deepening the relationships between the RAF and the IAF.
This exercise also reflects the growing ties between the RAF and the IAF, building on the IAF’s participation in the RAF-led Exercise Cobra Warrior last year. Following the conclusion of the exercise, the RAF detachment and their European counterparts will return to Europe, having strengthened military ties and operational capabilities through this joint training initiative.
Interested to see if India aligns more with the West eventually.
It has years ago.
Yet it is one of a very few nations that go to Moscow to meet pootin🤔
Well let’s be realistic, this Country has massive reliance (rightly or wrongly) upon Russian weapons and that cannot be reversed over night, especially in light of India’s military risks from China. So there is a two edged sword here for them and us and the scenario is changing unpredictably too for all concerned. Indian reliance on Russian weapons and ties with Russia for India asks important questions of it. Does that make it safer having these relations with Russian in its China problems or in light of the Russo/China alliance it makes it more dangerous, can anyone here seriously answer… Read more »
The last thing the West needs is to align with Narendri Modi whose upbringing was formed in the philosophy of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
I think we have to be realistic on that one in reality it is no different to dealing with unsavoury parties throughout the World many of whom are great threats to us. At least the RSS had no endemic hatred of the West during its formative years. Personally while it’s distasteful it’s been against fellow Indians that its wrath has been felt and is it any more distasteful than most Middle Eastern regimes, many in South America or even South Africa and many other African regimes. Worse than Hungary? Sadly few countries in the World pass the sniff test in… Read more »
All fair points. We did deal with Stalin to defeat Hitler. I was just managing expectations – highlighting the type of character we are dealing with. RSS is a supremacist ideology; sort of a Hindu version of the Ku Klux Klan. It is no accident that Modi gets along well with Putin. I will say that the recent Indian election result does give some reason for hope that India’s internal politics is changing. It needs to; right now being Muslim, Christian or Dhalit are not wise lifestyle choices !
India aligns with India and anyone else who it thinks it’s in its best interest to snuggle up to. Don’t confuse buying western kit as allignement. They keep relationship with Russia warm and economically they are strong advocates for BRICS and the creation of a robust alternative to western dominated trade norms….despite China being a big part of BRICS.
Spot on Pete – not difficult to see who is buying Russian oil at discount prices China too). This fuels (pun intended) the Russian War coffers.
Our Typhoons really get about , does this not ring a Bell to our government that more would be needed if they go ahead with the retirement of our F1s next year 😟
They will know – they will also be aware that there is literally no Funding available to do anything about it – Fast Air has too many commitments.
India has it’s own agenda, I wouldn’t trust Modi as far as I could throw him.
Perhaps, but when you are anticipating facing a large number of Russian aircraft at home in the near future then exercising with someone that flies a lot of them is…prudent.
Good point, well presented.
The sensible response Iain. One thing is certain a Country that is going to be a major military player within ten years and massive economic power, in the very region between Europe and our Pacific allies to boot, is best to manoeuvre onto our side, or at least neutral than on the other side. Especially as if we are going to belatedly create any independence economically from China then India is the most vital ingredient. We must understand that in reality it is becoming a multipolar World and if we want it to be one still beneficial to us rather… Read more »
India has increased Russian oil imports by over 1000% since the war in Ukraine began. As long as India keeps funding Putin’s war machine this war has no end in sight.
Does India buy a lot of its ‘kit’ from Russia?