RAF Typhoons make pit stop to take part in India's first multinational air exercise

Typhoon fighter jets returning to the UK from Australia have stopped off in India so they can take part in a major exercise.

The RAF detachment, consisting of six Typhoons from RAF Coningsby's XI Squadron, arrived at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu in the south of the country.

Exercise Tarang Shakti is the first multinational air exercise organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

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The Typhoons had been taking part in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia.

They are joined by two Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft and an A400M Atlas.

Contingents from Germany, Spain and France are also involved in the IAF exercise before returning to Europe.

Exercise Tarang Shakti allows European countries to fly with their Indian counterparts as well as demonstrating the growing relationship between the RAF and the IAF.

The Royal Air Force involvement comes after the IAF's participation last year on Exercise Cobra Warrior.

The three-week international air exercise was led by the UK and took place over the North Sea.