French Rafales and A400Ms Arrive for Multinational Exercise Tarang Shakti

Gist The French Air and Space Force has deployed a contingent of advanced military aircraft to Jodhpur to participate in the second edition of the multinational air combat exercise, Tarang Shakti . Hosted by the Indian Air Force , this deployment aligns with France's broader long-range air projection initiative, Mission Pégase 26 . The joint drills aim to enhance interoperability and operational cooperation between the participating air forces, reflecting the strategic military engagement between the two nations. Background Tarang Shakti is a major multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force , designed to bring together various global air forces to practice complex combat scenarios and improve strategic coordination. Mission Pégase is an annual long-range air projection exercise conducted by France to demonstrate its ability to rapidly deploy air power across the globe, showcasing its operational readiness. Prior to such large-scale multilateral engagements, bilateral exercises like Garuda formed the primary basis of Indo-French air cooperation; integrating these into broader multinational formats allows for more complex, multi-theater tactical scenarios. Key Pointers The integration of French Rafale F4 fighters alongside Indian…