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Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF to Host Major Multinational Air Exercise in Jodhpur
Introduction
- Major Exercise: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will host the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
- Multinational Event: Tarang Shakti is a major multinational air exercise in which different air forces come together for joint training, tactical exercises and air operations.
- Premier Exercise: The IAF has described the 2026 edition as its main multinational air exercise, bringing air forces from different countries together for joint tactical activities.
- Training Platform: The exercise will give participating countries a chance to train together, share their operational experience and improve coordination between their air forces.
Participation of More Than 40 Countries
- Global Participation: More than 40 countries are expected to be connected with Tarang Shakti 2026 in different ways.
- Foreign Air Forces: Nine foreign air forces have confirmed their participation, while around 30 countries are expected to take part as observers.
- Participating Nations: Countries confirmed or reported to be taking part with aircraft include the United States, France, Germany, Greece, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, along with India.
- International Platform: The participation of these countries will bring air forces from different regions together and provide an opportunity for professional interaction and learning from each other’s experience.
US F-35 Fighter Jet
- F-35 Participation: One of the major developments of Tarang Shakti 2026 is the expected participation of the US F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.
- First Exercise: This would be the first time that an F-35 takes part in a military exercise in India.
- Earlier Appearance: The aircraft had earlier appeared at Aero India in Bengaluru, including the 2025 edition, but its participation in Tarang Shakti would be its first operational exercise deployment in India.
- Foreign Aircraft: Other foreign aircraft expected to take part include Rafale, F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, along with the A400M military transport aircraft.
Indian Air Force Participation
- Fighter Fleet: The IAF is expected to use some of its major aircraft, including Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage-2000 and Tejas fighter aircraft.
- Support Platforms: Other aircraft and platforms are expected to include transport aircraft, helicopters, special-operations aircraft, air-to-air refuelling aircraft and airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C/AWACS) systems.
- Mission Training: The use of different types of aircraft will allow air crews to practise different missions and learn how to work together using fighter, surveillance, transport and support aircraft.
Main Objectives
- Joint Training: The exercise aims to carry out complex air and tactical training activities with foreign air forces.
- Interoperability: It aims to improve the ability of different air forces to work, communicate and operate together effectively.
- Operational Learning: The exercise will give pilots and support staff an opportunity to learn about different methods of operation, aircraft and tactics.
- Defence Cooperation: It will help strengthen military cooperation and regular interaction between India and the participating countries.
- Technical Exchange: The exercise will also provide opportunities for personnel to interact professionally and share their technical and operational experience.
Background of Tarang Shakti
- First Edition: The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024 in two different phases.
- First Phase: The first phase was conducted at Sulur in Tamil Nadu, while the second phase was held at Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
- 2024 Participation: The 2024 exercise included 10 participating countries and 18 observer nations, with aircraft from several major foreign air forces taking part.
- Foreign Platforms: Foreign aircraft taking part included the French Rafale, German Eurofighter Typhoon, Australian F-18 and Greek F-16, among other aircraft.
Why Jodhpur is Important
- Strategic Base: Jodhpur Air Force Station is an important IAF base in western Rajasthan and is suitable for conducting large-scale air operations.
- Back-to-Back Exercises: Tarang Shakti will follow the India-Japan Exercise Veer Guardian 26, which is being conducted at Jodhpur in September 2026.
- Training Hub: These exercises being held one after another make Jodhpur an important place for multinational and bilateral air-force training during this period.
Significance for India
- Capability Display: Tarang Shakti 2026 will give India an opportunity to show the capabilities of its fighter, surveillance, transport and support aircraft while operating with air forces from other countries.
- International Cooperation: The exercise will also strengthen India’s interaction with air forces from Europe, the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and neighbouring countries.
- Defence Relations: The exercise is expected to strengthen defence cooperation and give Indian personnel an opportunity to learn from and work alongside personnel from different international air forces.
Important Questions
- When and where will Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 be conducted?
- How many countries are expected to be associated with Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
- Which US fifth-generation fighter aircraft is expected to participate in the exercise?
- Which major fighter aircraft are expected to be deployed by the Indian Air Force?
- What are the main objectives of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
Conclusion
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 will bring India and several foreign air forces together for joint air training and professional exchange. With participation from more than 40 countries and the expected involvement of advanced aircraft such as the US F-35, the exercise will provide an important opportunity for India to strengthen defence cooperation and improve coordination with other air forces.
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