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 that question. With Chinas increasing dominance within that alliance I would say it holds great dangers for India as whatever Russias feelings they will have increasingly less sway. I can’t imagine India doesn’t recognise this, thus the sway to the West even though they aren’t for obvious reasons advertising it from the roof. I suspect this process will continue if gradually while politically India will attempt to retain as much of a relationship with Russia as possible. Who can blame them for this they are in as risky a spot with Pakistan and China as Europe is on its Eastern front, arguably more threatening indeed with two such potent enemies on its doorstep. Can hardly afford to alienate Russia to the north too can it.
I can see a gradual but concerted re alignment to the West and with regional powers with increased cooperation on joint production of weaponry and technology and that is a good thing. What’s being said and done behind the scenes in various channels is far more important than superficial signs of fence sitting and we aren’t a party to those. However over the next 20 years and beyond having India on our side (however it displays its links) is vital to forming an effective front against China and/or Russia/China even if we have to feel a little uneasy at times because it will be increasingly economically vital to the West as an alternative to Chines production dominance as well as politically/militarily.
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 reality. And as distasteful as it is relationships are built over decades and who knows where Modi or that movements influence will be in the future, after all it’s been banned in the past and not by the British. Indeed looking at the history of India things could have been far worse considering their oppression from foreign invaders long before Britain took control. I doubt Britain would based on recent events be any more plural minded if we had been invaded by Mongul hordes who pretty much run most of our Country forcibly converted the population and still were there visibly amongst us if no longer the Masters. The Spanish certainly didn’t forgive or forget well during centuries and well into the 20th Century.
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 than Russo/China we need to be realistic and accept we will have to work with India and others whatever the sniff test. We must stop being naive in a future where we may have to fight for our independence.
As for trusting Modi he is hardly an ideal candidate but he is a damn clever operator and he will see that India’s independence on the World stage is reliant upon ties with the West while not alienating those who are its greatest danger. It’s not unlike Turkey or Hungary, they may be annoying neighbours who play games but you can bet neither want to be out of organisations that are their assurance of expressing that nationalistic flavoured independence and freedom to express it.
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?