SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is set to make a historic visit to India with two Mitsubishi F-2 fighter jets. The F-2s will be participating in the Indian Air Force’s inaugural multilateral exercise, Tarang Shakti.
This is a rare occurrence for the JASDF, as F-2s are not frequently seen at international air exercises. The Mitsubishi F-2 is a multirole fighter derived from the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and it is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin specifically for the JASDF.
Exercise Tarang Shakti is a multi-phase exercise that has already witnessed participation from France, Germany, Spain, and the UK in its first phase, held from August 6th to 16th at Sulur airbase in Tamil Nadu. The second phase, scheduled to take place from August 29th to September 14th at Jodhpur airbase in Rajasthan, will include Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, and the USA.
The F-2 boasts several key differences from the F-16A, including a 25% larger wing area, the use of composite materials for reduced weight and radar signature, a longer and wider nose for the advanced J/APG-1/J/APG-2 AESA radar, a larger tailplane and air intake, and a three-piece cockpit canopy. Additionally, the F-2’s avionics system and flight control system differ significantly from the F-16.
The F-2 is capable of carrying four ASM-1 or ASM-2 anti-ship missiles, four AAMs, and additional fuel tanks. Its participation in Exercise Tarang Shakti will provide a valuable opportunity for the participating countries to learn from each other’s experiences and enhance their interoperability.
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