Japan Joins India at the Tarang Shakti Multilaterals: Why It Matters 

Tarang Shakti is India's largest multinational air exercise. Part 2 of its 2024 iteration was underway in the border state of Rajasthan in western India from August 30 to September 14. This time, participating countries included Australia, the United States, Sri Lanka, Greece, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. 

It should be noted that France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom participated in the first phase of the exercises. Those were held earlier at the Sulur Air Force Base in Coimbatore, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Some of the fighter aircraft taking part in Part 2 include Australia's F-18, Greece's F-16, America's A-10 and F-16. Meanwhile, India as the host nation is showcasing its own array of military assets, including India's LCA Tejas, Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs, French Rafales, Jaguar, and MiG-29 aircraft. India also brought its Prachand and Rudra attack helicopters, ALH Dhruv, C-130, IL-78, and AWACS aircraft. Through these displays, India showcased the military hardware now being produced within the country as a part of the "Make In India" initiative. 

'Building Security and Interoperability'

It should also be noted that this was the first time Greece had joined a military exercise in India. Another important thing to note is that the Royal Australian Air Force made its first deployment of combat aircraft in India with three EA-18G Growler aircraft and 120 personnel.

Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal AP Singh, described it well. He said, "Tarang Shakti is an opportunity to combine cultures and perspectives while building security and interoperability, with our participating and observing partners. The spirit of collaboration and embracing diversity is key to not only better executing flying maneuvers, but also to broaden people's minds." 

The Japan Connection

Meanwhile, Japanese Mitsubishi F2 fighter jets also joined the latest round of the Tarang Shakti exercises. For the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, this was a big leap of faith. That is because the post-World War II Japanese Constitution restricted what the JSDF can and cannot do.

This was a rare deployment of the F2 fighters abroad. It was important because it could open the doors for more such forays. Also worth noting here is that Japan and India already have rapidly developing defense relations. That, too, was unthinkable in the past. It was only in January 2023 that they conducted their first-ever bilateral air exercises.

The inaugural edition of the bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian 2023' between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and JASDF was held in Japan in January 2023. Japan brought its F-2 and F-15 aircraft, while the IAF fielded Su-30 MKI, one IL-78 flight refueling aircraft and two C-17 Globemaster strategic airlift transport aircraft. The two countries also conduct regular exercises between the navies and their ground troops.   

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy are also a part of the Milan multinational exercises. As Japan is an energy-dependent nation, freedom of navigation in the waters of the Indo-Pacific is absolutely necessary for its economy and national security. Japan has also pledged to increase its defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product by 2027.

Other Multilateral Cooperation

Navies from India, Japan, the US and Australia are already a part of the Malabar naval exercises. Besides, the US and India conduct a whole range of military exercises with each other. However, this is a first for so many countries to come together in a multinational air exercise. 

The region faces a myriad of threats, including both conventional and non-conventional and threats from state and non-state actors. For example, piracy is a common threat especially in the region around the East Coast of Africa and the Straits of Malacca. In addition, there are threats from the Houthis in Yemen. Their presence has forced international shipping companies to detour around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.

Why It's Important for India 

It is important for India to engage with different partners across the world. Events in the neighborhood, especially in countries like Bangladesh, seem particularly worrisome for India. New Delhi has what is known as the "Act-East Policy" under which it has been trying to establish better and closer ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific. Likewise, New Delhi has close ties with all the countries participating in these exercises.

It has been estimated that the sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean region account for over one-third of the world's bulk cargo traffic. Furthermore, they account for two-thirds of the world's oil shipments. Thus they ensure global access to food, precious metals, and energy resources. India has one of the biggest navies in the world, and its Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands sits astride the key sea lanes of communication in the world.

 Japan's Challenges

Japan has a host of challenges in the region as well. They range from the China threat and North Korean threat to the threat from the Russians. 

The threat from China is very severe as Beijing has been claiming the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands. On the other hand, the North Koreans have sent missiles flying over Japanese airspace. 

Meanwhile, Russia and North Korea have been in a territorial dispute since the end of World War II. The Russian and the Chinese navies have also been conducting joint naval exercises in Japan's immediate neighborhood.

Nevertheless, JASDF's participation in these exercises clearly marks a giant leap for Japan in the field of defense. As they say, "Eternal vigilance is the price of peace."

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Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah
Dr Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, Tokyo. The views expressed here are personal.