Q1. With reference to Exercise Tarang Shakti and France’s Mission Pégase, consider the following statements:
- Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force, with interoperability among participating air forces being one of its principal objectives.
- Mission Pégase is a French long-range air-projection deployment that can involve the use of fighter, tanker and transport aircraft.
- The A330 MRTT Phénix is primarily a strategic airlift platform and does not have an aerial refuelling role.
- The A400M Atlas is designed primarily for military air transport rather than as a multirole fighter aircraft.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 — Correct: Tarang Shakti is an IAF-hosted multinational air exercise intended to enhance cooperation and interoperability.
- Statement 2 — Correct: France's Pégase deployment is designed around long-range air projection and can combine fighters with tanker and transport assets. The French deployment to Jodhpur for Tarang Shakti 2026 includes Rafale, A330 MRTT and A400M aircraft.
- Statement 3 — Incorrect: The A330 MRTT is a Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, capable of both aerial refuelling and transport.
- Statement 4 — Correct: The A400M Atlas is a military transport aircraft.
