India brings F-35s, Rafales, Sukhoi and Tejas together in rare air power display

New Delhi: India showcased its growing air power and defence partnerships as Russian origin Sukhoi fighters, American F-35 Lightning II stealth jets, French Rafales and Indian Tejas aircraft flew together over Rajasthan during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026. The rare formation brought some of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft into Indian airspace and highlighted India’s ability to host large multinational air operations.

Nearly 40 nations are participating in the exercise. Of these, 32 countries are attending as observers, while Australia, the US, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are taking part with combat and military transport aircraft. The participating aircraft include F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A platforms, bringing together fighter jets, transport aircraft and aerial refuelling capabilities.

The participation of the US F-35 is particularly gaining spotlight as it is the first time that the American fifth generation stealth fighter has flown alongside Indian combat aircraft over Indian soil. Flying alongside Tejas, Rafale and Sukhoi fighters also gives the participating air forces an opportunity to train with aircraft that have different technologies, capabilities and operational approaches.

Tarang Shakti 2026 builds on the first edition of the exercise held in 2024. It is aimed at providing participating air forces with advanced joint training and greater experience in multinational air operations. The participating contingents are carrying out missions alongside the Indian Air Force while exchanging operational knowledge and experience.

The exercise brings together fighter pilots, mission planners and operational support personnel from different countries. Their interactions focus on improving interoperability, sharing professional experience, enhancing aerospace safety and understanding the procedures followed by different air forces.

The participating forces are also getting an opportunity to understand each other’s capabilities and methods of conducting air operations. Joint missions are helping them gain greater familiarity with mission planning, coordination and execution while learning from each other’s operational experience.

India is also using the exercise to showcase its wider capabilities to visiting military delegations. Observers from 32 countries visited the Statue of Unity, Arogya Van and Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s C-295 facility in Gujarat on Saturday.

The visits gave the foreign observers an opportunity to see different aspects of India, including its heritage, wellness initiatives and growing aerospace manufacturing capabilities. The C-295 facility also highlighted India’s expanding role in aircraft production and its efforts to strengthen the domestic aerospace industry.

The Indian Air Force said the exercise is helping build stronger partnerships through shared operational experience. It is bringing together air forces with different aircraft, capabilities and professional practices while creating greater trust and understanding among participating personnel.

The fighter formations over Rajasthan were therefore not only a display of advanced aircraft but also a demonstration of growing military cooperation between India and its partner nations. The exercise reflects New Delhi’s efforts to strengthen defence relationships through practical training and closer operational engagement.