New Delhi: Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 opened at Air Force Station Jodhpur on Saturday with US F-35A stealth fighters, French Rafales and UAE F-16s joining Indian Air Force aircraft in one of India’s largest multinational air-training engagements. The exercise will run from September 26 to October 12, with seven foreign countries participating with air assets and around 40 nations involved as participants or observers.
The foreign aircraft mix extends beyond fighters, with US KC-135 tankers, French A400M transports and Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, UAE Global 6000 aircraft and transport and surveillance platforms from Australia, Germany, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The combination allows participating forces to train across different mission sets while improving coordination and interoperability.
In a post on X, the IAF welcomed contingents as they arrived in Jodhpur, saying: “A warm welcome to our friends from across the skies as they touch down at Jodhpur. Welcome to India. Welcome to Tarang Shakti.”
F-35 makes Tarang Shakti debut
The US F-35A is participating in Tarang Shakti for the first time, placing the fifth-generation stealth fighter in an IAF-hosted multinational exercise alongside Indian and foreign combat aircraft. F-35s had previously appeared in India at Aero India 2025, but their participation at Jodhpur involves a multinational training environment rather than an aerospace exhibition.
The French air and space force arrived at Jodhpur on Friday as part of Mission Pegase 26. Speaking to ANI, the deputy commander of the French air defence and air operations command, Julien Sabene, described India as an important global strategic partner and said France was committed to working alongside the IAF. “We will have a total of seven Rafales with us to work side by side with the Indian Air Force,” he said.
France’s participation extends beyond combat aircraft. Its A400M transports and A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft add airlift and aerial-refuelling capabilities to the exercise, allowing participating forces to train across a wider range of mission profiles and support functions rather than limiting Tarang Shakti to fighter engagements.
IAF fields fighters and support platforms
The IAF is fielding frontline aircraft including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas, Mirage-2000, Jaguar and MiG-29. Airborne early warning and control aircraft, transport platforms and air-to-air refuelling tankers are also participating, allowing crews to practise coordination across combat and support roles.
Tarang Shakti follows the India-Japan Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 at Jodhpur, which concluded on September 22. The first Tarang Shakti in 2024 involved 11 countries with air assets, with 45 aircraft undertaking 76 missions and generating more than 800 sorties.
The current edition is focused on joint aerial operations, tactical training and the exchange of operational practices among participating air forces. Its mix of fighters, tankers, transports and surveillance aircraft allows the IAF and visiting contingents to train across different platforms and mission types within a common multinational environment.