A contingent from the French Air and Space Force is set to participate in India's inaugural multilateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti-2024, which kicks off at Air Force Station Sulur in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
The French contingent will include three Rafale fighter jets, one Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, and one A400M, accompanied by a total of 160 air force personnel, as per a press release from the French embassy in India. The release also mentioned that Germany and Spain, both EU Member States and partners in the Pacific Skies deployment from Alaska to India, are participating in the first phase of the exercise.
The French contingent's involvement is part of a two-month mission across the Indo-Pacific region, which commenced in France at the end of June and is scheduled to conclude on August 15, according to the French Embassy in India. The mission aims to showcase France's capability to safeguard its sovereignty as a resident nation in the Indo-Pacific, promote the rule of law and multilateralism, and enhance interoperability with key partners like India. By the mission's end, PEGASE 24 will have visited 13 partner nations and participated in three major exercises, including Tarang Shakti.
The French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, referred to India as a "trusted strategic partner" and expressed France's pride in participating in India's first multilateral air exercise. Mathou emphasized the European involvement in Tarang Shakti, highlighting France's support for Europe's role as an active stakeholder in security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
To conclude Tarang Shakti and France's PEGASE 24 deployment, France's Chief of Air Staff, General Stephane Mille, will conduct an official visit to India from August 12-14. During his visit, General Mille will attend the closing ceremony of the exercise, meet with key officials in Delhi, and speak at the National Defence College.
The French embassy in India noted that military cooperation between France and India has been robust since the start of 2024, with significant joint exercises like SHAKTI in Meghalaya and the 'Milan' multinational exercise in the Bay of Bengal. The armed forces of France and India maintain a long-standing schedule of exercises, including the VARUNA Navy exercises, GARUDA Air exercises, and SHAKTI Army exercises, reflecting the deep trust in the France-India strategic partnership.
