Tarang Shakti 2026 began at Air Force Station Jodhpur on Sunday, September 27, marking the start of the operational phase of the Indian Air Force’s second edition of its major multinational air exercise. The exercise is being conducted from September 26 to October 12 under the theme “Power in Partnership” and brings together air forces from several countries for joint training, operational learning and interoperability drills.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise has attracted participation from seven foreign countries with aircraft and fighter assets, while a much larger group of nations is attending as observers. Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are participating directly in the exercise, according to the latest Indian Air Force information.
The scale of Tarang Shakti 2026 is significantly larger than a conventional bilateral air exercise. Around 40 countries are participating either directly or as observers, while nearly 80 aircraft and about 1,500 military personnel are involved. The exercise is expected to generate more than 1,000 sorties during the two-week operational period.
One of the most notable features of Tarang Shakti 2026 is the participation of advanced foreign fighter aircraft. Six US F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters have arrived in Jodhpur for their first participation in this multinational Indian Air Force exercise. French Rafale fighters and UAE F-16 aircraft are also taking part.
The presence of F-35 aircraft makes Tarang Shakti 2026 an important opportunity for participating air forces to operate alongside a fifth-generation fighter platform. The US aircraft will fly alongside Indian Air Force platforms and other foreign aircraft during the exercise, allowing participating personnel to gain experience in complex multinational air operations.
Indian aircraft participating in Tarang Shakti 2026 include the Rafale, Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, Tejas and MiG-29. The IAF is also deploying airborne early warning and control aircraft, transport aircraft and air-to-air refuelling platforms as part of the exercise.
The operational objectives of Tarang Shakti 2026 extend beyond fighter sorties. The exercise covers counter-air operations, air defence, close combat, reconnaissance, airlift and air-to-air refuelling. More complicated mission scenarios involving multiple aircraft and participating forces are also part of the training programme.
The IAF has said that Tarang Shakti 2026 is intended to improve interoperability between participating air forces. Operating aircraft from different countries together requires coordination in areas such as mission planning, communications, airspace management, tactics and aerial refuelling. Such exercises provide participating forces with an opportunity to understand different operating procedures and approaches.
The main hub for Tarang Shakti 2026 is Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan. However, the exercise involves a wider area of western Rajasthan, with military flying planned over sectors including Jaisalmer, Barmer, Phalodi and Jodhpur. Airspace restrictions have been issued to facilitate the exercise and ensure safe separation between military and civilian aviation.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise also involves operations from the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district. Fighter aircraft are expected to conduct bombing drills against simulated targets and participate in other combat-related training activities. These activities are designed to provide realistic training conditions for participating air crews.
The second edition of Tarang Shakti 2026 builds on the first edition conducted by the Indian Air Force in 2024. The inaugural exercise was held in two phases at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur in Rajasthan and included participation from several foreign air forces. The 2026 edition expands the multinational format and brings together a larger range of aircraft and participants.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise is also taking place shortly after the India-Japan bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian 2026, which was conducted at Jodhpur from September 9 to September 22. The sequence of exercises gives the IAF an extended period of multinational and bilateral air training in Rajasthan.
According to IAF officials, Tarang Shakti 2026 reflects a broader approach to international air-force cooperation. Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said the exercise is intended to allow participating forces to learn from one another, operate together and prepare for future air-warfare challenges.
The international participation in Tarang Shakti 2026 includes both operational partners and observer countries. Thirty-two nations are attending as observers, while around 10 air chiefs or equivalent senior officials are expected to attend the exercise. This creates an additional forum for professional interaction among air forces beyond the flying activities themselves.
Australia’s participation in Tarang Shakti 2026 adds another element to the multinational exercise, with Australian air assets joining the activities alongside aircraft from the US, France, UAE and other participating countries. The exercise provides an opportunity for these forces to train in a common environment and exchange operational experience.
France is also participating with Rafale aircraft in Tarang Shakti 2026. French Ambassador Thierry Mathou described multinational exercises such as Tarang Shakti as contributing to greater operational coordination and interoperability between India and France. France and India also conduct separate bilateral military exercises, including Garuda involving their air forces.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 participation of the United States is particularly notable because of the F-35 deployment. US Ambassador Sergio Gor said six F-35 Lightning II aircraft and more than 200 American airmen had arrived in India for their first participation in Tarang Shakti. The F-35 had previously appeared at the Aero India event in Bengaluru, but this represents its first participation in the Indian multinational exercise.
The exercise also provides an opportunity for the IAF’s indigenous Tejas fighter to operate alongside foreign aircraft. The combination of Indian and foreign platforms allows participating air crews to practise scenarios involving different aircraft capabilities and operating procedures.
Another major component of Tarang Shakti 2026 is air-to-air refuelling. Tankers and compatible aircraft will participate in the exercise, allowing crews to practise extending the range and endurance of fighter operations. Air-to-air refuelling is particularly important during complex missions involving aircraft operating over large distances.
Air defence training during Tarang Shakti 2026 will involve coordinated responses to simulated threats. Participating aircraft can practise detecting, tracking and responding to different types of aerial situations while working within a multinational command and control environment.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise also includes airlift operations. Transport aircraft from participating countries will contribute to scenarios involving the movement of personnel and equipment. This broadens the exercise beyond fighter operations and allows different categories of air assets to work together.
The multinational structure of Tarang Shakti 2026 means that participating forces will also have to coordinate their tactics and communication procedures. Different countries operate aircraft with different systems and follow their own procedures, making interoperability a key objective of the exercise.
The exercise is being conducted in Rajasthan’s western airspace, including areas relatively close to the international border. However, Tarang Shakti 2026 is officially described as a multinational training exercise focused on operational learning, interoperability and cooperation. Its scheduled activities include simulated combat scenarios and training missions rather than actual combat operations.
For Jodhpur, the launch of Tarang Shakti 2026 places the city at the centre of one of India’s largest multinational air exercises. Air Force Station Jodhpur will serve as the primary operating location for aircraft and personnel involved in the exercise during its September 26 to October 12 schedule.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise is expected to continue generating significant military aviation activity over western Rajasthan during the coming weeks. Residents in areas around Jodhpur and other designated training zones may see increased aircraft movements as participating forces conduct their scheduled sorties.
The exercise also demonstrates the increasing importance of multinational training for modern air operations. Air forces increasingly need to coordinate across different platforms and national procedures during humanitarian missions, air defence operations, evacuation missions and other complex scenarios. Exercises such as Tarang Shakti 2026 provide an environment to develop that operational familiarity without involving real combat.
The first edition in 2024 established Tarang Shakti as a multinational platform for the IAF, while Tarang Shakti 2026 expands the exercise in terms of aircraft, countries and operational complexity. The inclusion of F-35s, Rafales, F-16s, Tejas, Su-30MKIs and other aircraft gives the exercise a broad range of fighter and support capabilities.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 schedule runs until October 12. During this period, participating air forces will conduct flying operations, tactical training and other activities designed to improve their ability to operate together. The final outcomes will depend on the training and operational lessons identified by the participating forces.
For India, the exercise provides an opportunity to train its aircraft and personnel alongside a wide variety of foreign platforms. For participating foreign air forces, it offers exposure to Indian aircraft, operating procedures and the geographical environment of western India.
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise therefore combines operational training with international military engagement. With seven foreign countries participating directly and dozens more attending as observers, the event has become a major platform for air-force interaction in India.
As the exercise continues through October 12, further flying activities and multinational missions will take place across the designated training areas. The focus will remain on interoperability, tactical learning, air operations and professional cooperation among the participating air forces.
The launch of Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur marks the beginning of a major period of multinational air-force training in Rajasthan. With nearly 80 aircraft, around 40 participating or observing countries and approximately 1,500 military personnel involved, the exercise represents a large-scale effort to bring different air forces together for coordinated training and operational learning.
