US F-35 jets expected at Tarang Shakti 2026 air exercise in Jodhpur

New Delhi: US Air Force F-35 stealth fighters are expected to join the Indian Air Force’s Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise in Jodhpur, potentially making their first appearance in an operational drill on Indian soil, according to several media reports citing sources in the defence establishment. However, the F-35 deployment has yet to be formally confirmed by either air force.

The multinational exercise is scheduled from September 26 to October 12, as reported by RNA Media when India issued Notam over Rajasthan earlier this month.

The Indian Air Force announced the return of Tarang Shakti on Monday, describing it as a forum for air forces to conduct joint tactical manoeuvres. The 2026 edition will take place in a single phase at Jodhpur, whereas the inaugural exercise in 2024 was divided between Sulur in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

An F-35 deployment would give Indian crews an opportunity to train in a multinational setting involving a fifth-generation aircraft, although the missions assigned to the US fighters have not been disclosed. Exercises of this kind allow participating air forces to practise planning, communication and coordination across aircraft with different capabilities and operating procedures.

The distinction between an exercise deployment and an airshow appearance matters here. US F-35s have flown at Aero India in Bengaluru, including in 2023, when the US Air Force sent its F-35A demonstration team; Tarang Shakti would be the aircraft’s first reported participation in an Indian military exercise.

According to media reports, nine foreign air forces have confirmed participation, with about 30 countries expected to send observers. The reported flying programme includes foreign F-16s, F/A-18s and Rafales, as well as transport aircraft, though the final composition of the contingents may change before the exercise begins.

India is expected to field a broad range of aircraft, including Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Tejas fighters, alongside helicopters, transports, refuellers and airborne early warning aircraft. Bringing these assets into common scenarios would let crews practise tasks such as protecting high-value aircraft, coordinating large formations and sustaining operations across several missions.

Tarang Shakti’s first edition gave the Air Force experience in hosting complex flying operations with foreign contingents. Its missions included beyond-visual-range combat, air mobility, dynamic targeting and operations in low light.

Jodhpur is also hosting Veer Guardian 2026, the bilateral India–Japan air exercise scheduled to conclude on September 22, shortly before Tarang Shakti begins. The sequence places two international air drills at the Rajasthan base in the same month, although each has its own participants and training programme.

The possible F-35 visit is likely to draw attention to India’s future fighter plans, but participation in an exercise would carry no implication of an Indian purchase. India is pursuing its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme, while proposals involving foreign fifth-generation fighters remain a separate question from the aircraft that partner nations bring to a training event.

For now, the confirmed development is the return of Tarang Shakti to Jodhpur. Whether the F-35 joins its flying programme, and in what role, will become clear when the participating air forces release their final deployment details.