Working alongside the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 has offered the German Air Force valuable insights into large-scale air operations, mission planning and interoperability between the two forces, according to a German officer participating in the exercise.
German Air Force Captain Maurice Berns, a First Officer on the A400M transport aircraft, described working alongside Indian personnel and the IAF as a “great new experience”. He said the multinational exercise has given German crews an opportunity to learn how the IAF plans and conducts major air exercises.
“For the German Air Force, flying in India is a great learning experience. We got to know a lot about the planning of the Indian Air Force, gained a lot of insights into how to fly and operate in these big exercises,” Berns said, according to news agency ANI.
He added that Tarang Shakti has also helped increase interoperability between Indian and German fighter jets and transport aircraft.
Germany's participation this year includes the A400M, described by Berns as the backbone of the German Air Force's national fleet. The heavy cargo aircraft is capable of carrying out both tactical and logistics missions.
According to Berns, the scale of Tarang Shakti 2026 is larger than the previous edition. One of the key experiences for the German contingent has been integrating the A400M into large-force engagements involving fighter aircraft.
“We are participating in large force engagements, which means that we, as a transport aircraft, are being involved in big fighter jet exercises,” he said.
Germany is among seven friendly foreign countries participating in Tarang Shakti 2026. The others are Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Aircraft participating in the exercise include the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A, bringing combat aircraft, transport platforms and air-to-air refuelling capabilities into the multinational exercise.
Building on the inaugural edition held in 2024, Tarang Shakti 2026 is aimed at advanced joint training, exchange of operational expertise and consolidation of professional experience. Foreign contingents are operating alongside the IAF across a range of missions, while several other friendly countries are participating as observers.
The exercise is being conducted from September 26 to October 12.
