The Royal Australian Air Force has sent combat aircraft to India in support of a multinational exercise for the first time. Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 30 August to 13 September 2024. The Royal Australian Air Force has sent three EA-18G Growler aircraft from No 6 Squadron, and up to 120 personnel. This is the first time India has conducted Exercise Tarang Shakti, with 11 participating nations and 18 observer nations attending. Australia and India have enjoyed increased air defence cooperation in recent years, including hosting Indian Air Force Flankers at Exercise Pitch Black in 2018, 2022, and 2024. Air Force also conducts a number of training and engagement activities with Indian Navy P-8I Neptune surveillance aircraft. Australia will continue to support India’s key role in the region by increasing the depth and complexity of our defence cooperation.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said,“Australia’s participation in Exercise Tarang Shakti demonstrated a commitment to supporting regional partners and fostering international cooperation to address shared security challenges.India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and India, the Government is continuing to prioritise practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability. Participation in international exercises such as Tarang Shakti 24, showcases our advanced capabilities that ensure rapid response and adaptability to emerging threats and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 will provide our aviators with the opportunity to develop interoperability with foreign militaries, develop a mutual understanding of tactical operations, and foster international relations.”
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. It is capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications. Growlers can support a wide range of the Royal Australian Air Force tasks and help to reduce risk and improve situational awareness. It provides a complementary capability to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. 12 Growlers are controlled by No. 6 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley and operate alongside air, land and sea forces. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was declared in April 2019. Uniquely, Australian Growlers will be equipped with the AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod and will also have additional air-to-air weapons in the form of the AIM-9X missile. The aircraft will be operated by No. 6 Squadron RAAF.
