Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026

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Key takeaways

The Indian Air Force is hosting the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The multilateral drill operates under the core theme Power in Partnership and brings together air forces from nearly 40 countries.
Seven friendly foreign countries are participating with air assets, including the maiden operational deployment of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters.
The exercise features a diverse fleet including Rafale, F-16, and indigenous platforms like HAL Tejas to boost global defence cooperation and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
This large multilateral drill brings together air forces and observers from nearly 40 countries under the core theme Power in Partnership.
The exercise marks a major milestone with the maiden operational participation of advanced stealth fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II alongside Indian platforms.

This event serves as India's premier multinational and large-force employment combat air exercise following its successful inaugural edition held in 2024.
The primary objective is to train participating air forces in planning and executing complex joint combat missions within a realistic contemporary battlespace.
It aims to build mutual trust, enhance high-end tactical interoperability, and refine multi-domain aerospace safety among partner nations.
Beyond tactical drills, the program features professional seminars, industrial tours, the Sekhon Marathon, heritage tours, and yoga sessions to foster cultural and professional ties.

Seven friendly foreign countries including Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, the UAE, and the USA are participating directly with air assets.
Around 32 additional countries are attending the exercise in the capacity of observers.
The participating foreign fleet includes advanced platforms like the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), C-130, C-130J, and KC-30A aircraft.
The French Air and Space Force has deployed four Rafale F4 fighters, three A330 MRTT Phénix aircraft, and two A400M Atlas aircraft as part of Mission Pégase 26.
India is showcasing its indigenous prowess by deploying homegrown platforms like the HAL Tejas and Su-30MKI alongside transport and refueling aircraft.

Pilots are engaging in fifth-generation combat training through joint missions that focus on sensor fusion, stealth tactics, and Dissimilar Air Combat Training.
The combat simulations cover counter-air operations, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift, beyond-visual-range combat, and aerial refuelling.
These missions allow aircrews to assimilate valuable combat lessons derived from contemporary global conflicts.
The drills create a synthetic combat environment where pilots operate diverse Western, Russian-origin, and indigenous aircraft seamlessly together.

The exercise enables the IAF to demonstrate its professional standards, operational readiness, and growing indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
It provides a vital global platform to showcase Indian aerospace systems to international partners, directly supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
It strengthens regional peace and security by deepening strategic cooperation, operational synergy, and long-term defence partnerships across participating nations.