Record female participation marks India's largest international air exercise

The Indian Air Force has deployed more than 25 women officers for Exercise Tarang Shakti, marking the largest contingent of female aviators to participate in an international military air exercise hosted by India. The fortnight-long exercise, being conducted in Jodhpur, brings together air forces from eight countries, underscoring New Delhi's commitment to regional defence cooperation and gender inclusivity in its armed forces.

Air forces from the United States, France, Germany, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are participating alongside India in the multinational drill. The exercise provides a platform for combat pilots, ground crews, and support personnel from participating nations to engage in joint training, tactical coordination, and knowledge exchange on contemporary aerial operations.

The participation of a record number of women officers reflects the Indian Air Force's ongoing efforts to expand opportunities for female personnel in operational and combat roles. In recent years, the IAF has progressively opened fighter pilot positions to women officers, a significant policy shift from earlier decades when female aviators were largely restricted to transport and helicopter operations.

Exercise Tarang Shakti, whose name translates to "wave of energy" in Hindi, serves as a key mechanism for building interoperability among regional air forces. Such multinational exercises enhance tactical proficiency, foster military-to-military relationships, and contribute to regional security architecture in South and Southeast Asia.

The exercise comes amid India's broader efforts to strengthen defence partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region while advancing modernisation and professional development within its own defence establishment.