Tarang Shakti 2026: Multinational air exercise in Jodhpur deepens India's defence partnerships
Synopsis
The US F-35A has landed in India for the first time in a military exercise — that alone makes Tarang Shakti 2026 a landmark. With France's Rafales, UAE's F-16s, and 32 observer nations at Jodhpur, this is less a routine drill and more a strategic signal of India's expanding multilateral defence clout.
Key Takeaways
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026 .
7 Friendly Foreign Countries are participating with air assets; 32 nations are attending as observers.
The United States has deployed F-35A fighters and KC-135 tankers — the first-ever participation of the F-35A in a military exercise on Indian soil.
France has brought Rafales , A400Ms , and MRTT aircraft; the UAE is flying F-16s and a Global 6000 .
Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said the exercise showcases India's growing aerospace and defence industry capabilities.
The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is intensifying over Jodhpur, with fighter aircraft from multiple nations flying joint missions, sharing operational experience, and building interoperability in a demanding live environment, the Ministry of Defence confirmed on Friday, 2 October 2026. The exercise, hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan, runs from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
What Is Happening Over Jodhpur
'The skies over Jodhpur are abuzz with multinational air activity,' the Ministry of Defence stated on X. 'As Tarang Shakti 26 progresses, participating air forces are conducting flying operations, sharing operational experiences and training together in a demanding environment.'
The ministry added that fighter aircraft operating alongside partner air forces 'provide valuable opportunities to enhance interoperability, coordination and mutual understanding,' and that 'professional interactions between aircrew and teams further strengthen partnerships.'
Countries and Aircraft Participating
Seven Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) are participating with air assets, while 32 nations are attending as observers — making this one of the most expansive multinational air exercises ever held on Indian soil.
France has deployed Rafales, A400M airlifters, and MRTT tanker aircraft. The United Arab Emirates is flying F-16s and a Global 6000 surveillance platform. The Royal Australian Air Force and the Bangladesh Air Force are each participating with a C-130J tactical airlifter, while the German Air Force has also brought its A400M. Sri Lanka is fielding a KA-360ER surveillance aircraft.
Most notably, the United States has deployed F-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters alongside KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers — marking the first time an F-35A has participated in a military exercise on Indian soil, a milestone in India-US defence engagement.
India's Strategic Objective
Last month, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said the exercise gives India 'an opportunity to show friendly partner countries the growing capabilities of its aerospace and defence industries.' The exercise focuses on realistic multinational operations, joint aerial missions, tactical training, and sharing of best practices across complex mission sets.
Notably, this is the second edition of Tarang Shakti — the inaugural exercise was held in 2024 — and the expansion in both participating nations and aircraft types signals a deliberate acceleration of India's multilateral air diplomacy.
Why This Matters for India
Tarang Shakti 2026 comes amid India's deepening defence ties with Western partners and ASEAN neighbours. The presence of the F-35A alongside French Rafales and UAE F-16s underscores India's emergence as a credible multilateral security partner capable of hosting top-tier military hardware from across geopolitical alignments. This exercise also serves as a live showcase for Indian defence manufacturers and the IAF's modernised infrastructure at Jodhpur.
With the exercise running until 12 October, further joint missions, tactical briefings, and interoperability assessments are expected in the days ahead.
Point of View
But the broader story is structural: India is now comfortable hosting hardware from France, the US, UAE, and Australia simultaneously — a feat that would have been diplomatically inconceivable a decade ago. The 32 observer nations signal that non-participant countries are watching India's multilateral military posture evolve in real time. What mainstream coverage underweights is the defence-industry subtext: Tarang Shakti is also a live demonstration floor for Indian aerospace, with Air Marshal Dixit explicitly flagging this. As India negotiates fighter jet and defence tech deals, exercises like this are as much commercial showcases as security events.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tarang Shakti 2026?
Tarang Shakti 2026 is the second edition of India's major multinational air exercise, hosted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from 26 September to 12 October 2026. It brings together seven countries with air assets and 32 nations as observers for joint flying operations, tactical training, and interoperability drills.
Which countries are participating in Tarang Shakti 2026?
Seven Friendly Foreign Countries are participating with aircraft: France (Rafales, A400M, MRTT), the United States (F-35A, KC-135), the United Arab Emirates (F-16, Global 6000), Australia (C-130J), Germany (A400M), Sri Lanka (KA-360ER), and Bangladesh (C-130J). An additional 32 nations are attending as observers.
Why is the US F-35A participation historically significant?
The deployment of US F-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters to Tarang Shakti 2026 marks the first time this aircraft has participated in a military exercise on Indian soil. It is widely seen as a milestone in deepening India-US defence and strategic ties.
What is the objective of Exercise Tarang Shakti?
The exercise focuses on realistic multinational operations, joint aerial missions, tactical training, interoperability, and sharing of operational best practices. It also serves as a platform to showcase India's growing aerospace and defence industry capabilities to partner nations, according to Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
When does Tarang Shakti 2026 end?
The exercise is scheduled to conclude on 12 October 2026. Further joint missions, tactical briefings, and interoperability assessments are expected before the closing date.
