What does India want to show by hosting its first multinational air exercise?

The first multinational air exercise hosted by India is aimed at showcasing its ability to mobilize countries from different continents, while observers say New Delhi also wants to promote its homegrown aircraft as part of its expanding defence diplomacy.

The Indian Air Force exercise, Tarang Shakti, will be conducted in two phases and will promote international cooperation and enhance collective security capabilities. (Source: indianewsnetwork.com)

The Indian Air Force announced that the exercise, called Tarang Shakti , which will be conducted in two phases, will also promote international cooperation and enhance collective security capabilities.

Dozens of countries are participating in the exercise, including 10 direct participants and 18 observers. Germany, France and Spain are among those taking part in the first phase, which will be held in Sulur, southern Tamil Nadu, from August 6-21.

Phase 2 will involve Australia, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Greece and the United States, from August 29 to September 14 in Jodhpur in the northern state of Rajasthan.

The presence of French, German and Spanish air force commanders in the first phase “underscores the importance” of this multinational effort, Indian media reported.

Harsh Pant, vice president for research and foreign policy at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, said the joint exercises with the above countries showed that India has the ability to mobilize many countries that may not share the same views on strategic issues.

These countries have come together to enhance operational efficiency and address common challenges, he said, adding that the exercise also demonstrates India's global defence cooperation capabilities.

Ian Hall, professor of international relations at Australia's Griffith University, assessed that this exercise is mainly about defense diplomacy and to strengthen the international air force network, as well as improve combat capabilities.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/lan-dau-tien-to-chuc-tap-tran-khong-quan-da-quoc-gia-an-do-muon-the-hien-dieu-gi-283065.html