In News:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Udara Shakti 2026, a bilateral air exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at Subang Airbase, Malaysia. The exercise strengthens India–Malaysia defence cooperation and supports India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy.

About the Exercise:

Udara Shakti is a bilateral air exercise between India and Malaysia aimed at enhancing air combat capability, operational interoperability, tactical coordination and mutual understanding between the two air forces.

The IAF participated with four Rafale fighter aircraft of 101 Squadron and two C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft. The RMAF fielded Su-30MKM fighters, F/A-18D Hornets and an A400M transport aircraft.

The exercise focused on realistic and complex combat training, including:

• High-intensity combat sorties
• Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT)
• Dissimilar Basic Fighter Manoeuvres (DBFM)
• Air-to-air refuelling operations

It also featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) covering training doctrines, integrated operations, mission planning and maintenance practices, enabling both sides to exchange operational experience and best practices.

Strategic Significance

Udara Shakti enhances the ability of the IAF and RMAF to operate together during complex air operations and strengthens India–Malaysia strategic and defence ties. It also contributes to wider Indo-Pacific security cooperation, particularly as India deepens defence engagement with Southeast Asian countries under the Act East Policy.

India and Malaysia also conduct other bilateral military exercises:

• Harimau Shakti – Indian Army–Malaysian Army
• Samudra Laksamana – Indian Navy–Royal Malaysian Navy