With an eye on Indo-Pacific, Germany seeks greater defence ties with India Premium

India hosts extensive air exercise Tarang Shakti with German Luftwaffe, deepening Indo-German defence ties and presence in Indo-Pacific.

In mid-August, India witnessed one of the most extensive multilateral air exercises hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) called Tarang Shakti (Phase I). It was the first instance of the German Luftwaffe (German Air Force) doing sorties in Indian skies. Towards the end, IAF Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari announced this would become a biennial event.  

Speaking to the press in India, German Luftwaffe Inspector General Lieutenant Ingo Gerhartz said that Tarang Shakti was not meant to be against any particular country but rather an exercise among partner countries.   

“Tarang Shakti was the fifth tryout for Pacific Skies 24. We have flown around 1.3 million flying kilometres. In the last two months, we have flown so many flight hours that one German organisation would fly in an entire year,” noted Gen. Gerhartz. Pacific Skies 24 is the largest-ever air exercise held jointly by France, Germany, and Spain to note its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Regarding military and defence partnerships, Russia has been India’s go-to country, being its top supplier for decades. Over the years, the U.S. and France have increased their defence partnerships with India to be among the top three suppliers. Despite being in the top five arms suppliers globally, Germany has no significant presence when it comes to supplying to India.  

Back in 2006, Indian and German Defence Ministries had signed an agreement on deeper security and defence cooperation, which included training of military personnel, increased technology transfer, and collaboration in joint defence projects. During the Indo-German intergovernmental consultations in 2019, the two countries decided to further deepen bilateral defence ties, with Germany working towards facilitating the export of military equipment with India.  

“If you look at the global defence market, Russia used to be number 2, but in the low-price segment, they were very dominant. Defence equipment from NATO and Israel is rather expensive. The only other country that can replace Russia in the low-cost segment is China – from an Indian perspective, it is not a good way to go,” said Dr. Adrian Haack, Director of Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s India office. Mr. Haack was present at the Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu in August to witness Tarang Shakti phase 1. According to him, a large part of the exercise was the presence of Gen. Gerhartz himself, who flew the Eurofighter and had an easygoing attitude towards everyone else.  

“Gen. Gerhartz always wore the pilot’s jacket with the General’s rank sign and not his General’s uniform. It was an informal diplomatic way in which the General behaved to show that Germany comes as a friend,” said Mr. Haack.