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The Indian Air Force is preparing to conduct a mega-multilateral exercise later this year that will bring together air forces of 12 nations, thus strengthening military cooperation with them, an official privy to the development said on Wednesday.
The exercise, named Tarang Shakti, is slated to be the biggest air exercise to be conducted in India. Participating countries will join the exercise with both military combat jets and transport aircraft, among other assets.
Among others, air forces of France, Australia, the US and the UK are likely to participate in the exercise — its location is not known yet.
According to officials, the Tarang Shakti exercise will be held in October-November this year — six air forces will participate in the exercise, and the rest will attend as observers. They said the final approval on the exercise from the government is pending.
Ahead of Tarang Shakti, the IAF is likely to participate in another exercise in Egypt, officials said.
Earlier this year, the IAF took part in several joint exercises with France, Greece, Japan and the UK — among others, Exercise Orion at the Mont-de-Marsan airbase in France from April 17 to May 5 and the INIOCHOS exercise at Andravida base in Greece, hosted by the Hellenic Air Force.
In April, the IAF and the USAF had taken part in a joint exercise in Cope India-2023 across Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra bases.
Three Rafale fighter jets of the IAF will take part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour and a tri-services contingent will participate in the parade along with their French counterparts.
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