“Premiere” today (2/9) for the pilots of Squadron 336 “OLYMPOS”, as well as the F-16 Block 52+ her Air Forceact in the multinational exercise “Tarang Shakti 24”, from India.
HAF Mission Arrives in India with 2 C-130 aircraft, after talks held between officials from both countries and the acceptance of the request by Chief of the Air Force General Staff (GA), Vice Admiral (I) Demóstenes Grigoriadis.
However, his journey also played an important role General Dimitrios Houpis died in India.
AP participates in the multinational exercise with 4 advanced F-16 Block 52+ aircraft and similar personnel from the 336th Squadron of the 116th Fighter Wing, although as reported by “N” the original PA plan called for the participation of the Rafale.
The move, according to Indian media, occurred because the Indian Air Force expressed interest in the participation of Rafales and therefore the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) was invited to participate with F-16 fighters. The decision is in line with India’s strategic intention to train aircraft models similar to those used by Pakistan, a country with which India has ongoing tensions.
The FAH hosted for the first time at a multinational level by the Indian Air Force after accepting the invitation from the Indian Air Force and participating for the first time in the exercise “HNIOHOS 23” with Su-30 aircraft.
It is worth noting that Greece’s participation in this exercise, which the Indian media characterizes as an “important milestone”, proves the excellent relationship that Athens maintains with Delhi not only at the military level, but also in politics after Kyriakos Mitsotakis and George Gerapetritis’ trip to New Delhi in February.
India’s justification is to invite friendly foreign countries with whom the IAF interacts regularly and has some degree of interoperability.
Two phases
The exercise was conducted in two phases, the first in southern India and the second in the West in mid-September.
Some countries will participate in both phases, while others will participate in one of the two phases, it was announced.
Participating countries include Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.
A total of 10 countries participate by air, while others participate as observers.
The fighter jets include Australia’s F-18s, Bangladesh’s C-130s, Greece’s F-16s and the US’s A-10s and F-16s.
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@HAFspokesperson pic.twitter.com/4LETRBKs5o— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 30, 2024
All participating states are targeted demonstrate their air capability and interoperability, underlining the strategic importance of such exercises in strengthening global military cooperation.
India’s participation
India will showcase a range of advanced military capabilities including LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale.
Additionally, the Indian Air Force will deploy Sukhoi, Mirage, Jaguar, MiG-29, Prachand and Rudra attack helicopters, ALH Dhruv, C-130, IL-78 and AWACS.
It is recalled that this is the second time that Hellenic Air Force fighter planes have spread their “wings” outside the borders after participating in the multinational exercise “VOLFA 2024”, held at the Mont de Marsan Air Base, in France.