F-35 to Make Indian Exercise Debut as Tarang Shakti 2026 Brings Global Air Power to Jodhpur
The Indian Air Force is preparing to host the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti, a major multinational air exercise that will bring advanced fighter aircraft and air forces from several countries together in Rajasthan. The exercise, scheduled from September 26 to October 12, 2026, will be held at Air Force Station Jodhpur and adjoining air bases.
One of the biggest highlights will be the participation of the US F-35 Lightning II, which will join an Indian military exercise for the first time. The presence of the fifth-generation stealth fighter is expected to add a new dimension to the multinational drills and provide an opportunity for participating air forces to train in a highly complex operational environment.
F-35 to Fly Alongside Indian Fighters
Six American F-35 fighters are expected to participate in Tarang Shakti 2026. Although the aircraft has previously appeared at the Aero India air shows in Bengaluru in 2023 and 2025, its participation in an operational exercise in India will be a first. IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit confirmed that Indian and American aircraft will exercise together during the drills.
The exercise will also feature a wide range of Indian combat aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar. Foreign aircraft are expected to include French Rafales and UAE F-16s, creating an environment where different aircraft, technologies and operational procedures can be employed together.
Eight Foreign Air Forces to Participate
Tarang Shakti 2026 will have participation from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the United States, with these countries bringing air assets to the exercise. Another 32 countries are expected to attend as observers. The multinational format is designed to provide participating air forces with experience in planning and executing joint operations in a contemporary battlespace.
The exercise builds on the first edition of Tarang Shakti held in 2024. That edition involved 11 foreign air forces and provided the IAF with experience of conducting complex activities alongside multiple international partners. The 2026 edition expands this approach by focusing on greater interoperability and operational learning.
Training for the Changing Nature of Air Warfare
Tarang Shakti 2026 will cover a broad range of air operations, including counter-air missions, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift and air-to-air refuelling. The exercise is also expected to address emerging areas such as unmanned systems, precision weapons, information dominance, integrated air defence and space-enabled capabilities.
The IAF has indicated that the exercise is intended to go beyond displaying aircraft. It will allow participating forces to examine how different platforms, tactics and operational procedures can work together during complex missions. Lessons from recent conflicts and evolving technologies are also expected to inform the training scenarios.
Showcasing India's Growing Air Power
The exercise will provide an international platform for the IAF's frontline fleet as well as India's indigenous aerospace capabilities. The participation of Tejas alongside aircraft such as the F-35, Rafale and F-16 will place Indian platforms in a diverse multinational training environment.
At the same time, the exercise will give foreign air forces an opportunity to familiarise themselves with India's operational procedures, aircraft and support capabilities. The IAF has described the exercise as an opportunity for participants to learn from one another while preparing for the air warfare challenges of the future.
Strengthening International Air Force Cooperation
The growing scale of Tarang Shakti reflects India's increasing engagement in multinational air exercises. Operating with several foreign air forces at the same time requires coordination across different command structures, communication systems, aircraft and mission procedures.
The presence of the F-35, Rafale, F-16, Tejas and Su-30MKI in the same exercise will therefore offer participating personnel valuable exposure to different approaches to modern air operations. The exercise also creates an avenue for professional exchanges and closer military-to-military cooperation among the participating countries.
The MGMM Outlook
Tarang Shakti 2026 represents an important step in expanding India’s engagement with leading air forces around the world. The participation of the US F-35 Lightning II in an Indian military exercise for the first time, alongside the IAF’s Tejas, Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar, will create a valuable environment for operational learning and interoperability. With eight foreign air forces participating and several others attending as observers, the exercise will bring together different aircraft, technologies and operational approaches while giving India an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of its air force.
The significance of Tarang Shakti 2026 goes beyond the presence of advanced fighter aircraft. Training in air defence, counter-air operations, reconnaissance, airlift, aerial refuelling, unmanned systems, precision weapons and information and space-enabled capabilities can help participating forces understand the demands of modern air warfare. For India, the exercise also provides an opportunity to strengthen military-to-military cooperation, gain experience from international partners and place its indigenous platforms such as Tejas in a sophisticated multinational operational environment. The exercise therefore reflects India's growing role in international defence cooperation while contributing to preparedness for the evolving challenges of the air domain.
(Sources: Firstpost, The New Indian Express, Hindustan Times)
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