Singh calls for defence technology partnerships at Tarang Shakti
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for technology partnerships and stronger domestic production at the Tarang Shakti air exercise in Jodhpur. He advocated joint research, development, manufacturing and training with trusted countries. Singh also asked the Indian Air Force to incorporate exercise lessons into its tactics and doctrine, describing faster sensing and decision-making as central to future military strength.
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Singh seeks cooperation with trusted partners
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for stronger domestic production alongside international technology partnerships at Tarang Shakti, the multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. He addressed participants on October 10 at Jodhpur air station in India’s Rajasthan state and advocated cooperation with trusted countries.[1], [2]
Singh said India needed the ability to produce weapons and critical technologies during prolonged conflicts. He described self-reliance as the capacity to design, develop, manufacture, maintain and upgrade technology. His proposed areas of cooperation included research, co-development, co-production, maintenance, training and innovation, with an emphasis on trusted partnerships and resilient supply chains.[1], [2]
The minister describes a changing battlefield
Modern warfare extends into space, cyber operations, the electromagnetic spectrum and information, Singh said. He argued that unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and long-range precision weapons were changing operations. In his assessment, future military strength would depend increasingly on the speed of sensing, understanding, deciding and acting.[1], [2]
The air force is asked to apply exercise lessons
The exercise is scheduled for September 26–October 12. Air forces from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States are participating, alongside 32 observer nations. Joint mission planning, operational exchanges and familiarity with different aircraft and doctrines form part of the programme.[1], [2]
Singh asked the Indian Air Force to incorporate lessons into training, tactics, technology, doctrine and future capability development. Indian-made platforms at the exercise included the Tejas fighter and Prachand light combat helicopter. Activities extended beyond flying to professional discussions, industrial visits and cultural exchanges.[1]
