Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF to showcase India's aerospace power in Jodhpur from Sep 26
Synopsis
For the first time ever, a US F-35A stealth fighter will fly in a military exercise on Indian soil — at Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur. With 7 nations fielding aircraft and 32 observers attending, this is the IAF's most ambitious multinational air exercise yet, and a live demonstration of India's defence diplomacy in action.
Key Takeaways
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 will be held at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan 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 is fielding F-35A fighters and KC-135 tankers — the first time a fifth-generation aircraft participates in a military exercise on Indian soil.
France is bringing Rafales , A400Ms , and an MRTT ; the UAE is participating with F-16s and a Global 6000 .
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit , Vice Chief of the Air Staff, confirmed the exercise will highlight India's growing aerospace and defence industry capabilities.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, said on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 that the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 will offer India a strategic platform to demonstrate the expanding capabilities of its aerospace and defence industries to friendly partner nations. The multinational air exercise is scheduled at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
Scale and Participation
The exercise brings together seven Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) participating with air assets, alongside 32 nations attending as observers — making it one of the largest multinational air exercises ever hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The focus is on realistic multinational operations, joint aerial missions, tactical training, interoperability, and the exchange of operational best practices across complex mission sets.
Participating nations have fielded a formidable array of aircraft. France is bringing Rafale fighters, A400M transport aircraft, and an MRTT tanker. The United Arab Emirates is participating with F-16s and a Global 6000. The Royal Australian Air Force and the Bangladesh Air Force are both fielding C-130J aircraft, while the German Air Force is contributing an A400M. Sri Lanka is participating with a KA-360ER surveillance aircraft.
Historic F-35 Debut on Indian Soil
The most closely watched development is the participation of the United States, which is fielding F-35A stealth fighters and KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers. This marks the first time a fifth-generation jet has taken part in a military exercise on Indian soil — a milestone that underscores the deepening defence partnership between New Delhi and Washington. Air Marshal Dixit confirmed the IAF will be exercising with the F-35 for the first time, adding that operational security considerations could limit post-exercise disclosures about the engagement.
What the IAF Said
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Air Marshal Dixit briefed the media on the conduct of the exercise, participation by friendly foreign air forces, the operational canvas, and major events planned during the exercise. The IAF said in a statement that the interaction 'provided an overview of the scale and objectives of this multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force.'
Strategic Significance
This comes amid India's sustained push to position itself as a credible defence exporter and a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific. The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024, and the rapid expansion in participating nations and aircraft categories for the 2026 edition signals growing international confidence in India's air exercise architecture. Notably, the simultaneous presence of aircraft from France, the UAE, and the United States — nations with differing geopolitical alignments — reflects India's multi-alignment foreign policy in practice. The exercise is expected to yield long-term interoperability dividends as the IAF modernises its fleet and expands its global exercise footprint.
Point of View
Which has moved from buyer-seller to genuine operational partner in under a decade. But the real story is the breadth of the participant list: France, the UAE, Australia, Germany, and the US in the same exercise signals that India has achieved a rare feat in multi-alignment diplomacy, drawing in militaries with competing alignments without alienating any. The harder question is whether interoperability gains from exercises like Tarang Shakti translate into procurement convergence and joint operational doctrine, or remain periodic showcases. India's defence exports ambition also needs this kind of visibility — but the proof will be in the order books, not the flight lines.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
Tarang Shakti 2026 is the second edition of the Indian Air Force's major multinational air exercise, hosted at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 26 September to 12 October 2026. It involves 7 nations participating with aircraft and 32 countries attending as observers, focusing on joint aerial missions, interoperability, and best-practice exchange.
Which countries are participating in Tarang Shakti 2026?
Seven nations are participating with air assets: the United States (F-35A, KC-135), France (Rafale, A400M, MRTT), UAE (F-16, Global 6000), Australia (C-130J), Germany (A400M), Sri Lanka (KA-360ER), and Bangladesh (C-130J). A further 32 nations are attending as observers.
Why is the F-35's participation in Tarang Shakti historically significant?
The US F-35A stealth fighter's presence marks the first time a fifth-generation combat aircraft has participated in a military exercise on Indian soil. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit noted that the IAF will be exercising with the F-35 for the first time, though operational security may limit post-exercise disclosures.
What are the objectives of Tarang Shakti 2026?
The exercise focuses on realistic multinational operations, joint aerial missions, tactical training, interoperability, and the sharing of operational experience and best practices across complex mission sets. It also serves as a platform to showcase the growing capabilities of India's aerospace and defence industries to partner nations.
How does Tarang Shakti 2026 compare to the first edition?
The 2026 edition is significantly larger in scale than the inaugural Tarang Shakti held in 2024, with a broader participant list, more diverse aircraft types, and the historic inclusion of a US F-35A. The expansion reflects growing international interest in exercising with the Indian Air Force.
