US F-35s and French Rafales to join India's 40-nation Tarang Shakti air exercise

Over 40 countries will take part in the second edition of the multinational air exercise “Tarang Shakti,” scheduled to take place at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from September 26 to October 12, defence officials said.

The United States is set to deploy two to three F-35 fifth-generation combat aircraft, France will participate with its Rafale fighters, and the United Arab Emirates will deploy its F-16 fighter jets. Several participating countries will also contribute support assets, including transport aircraft, officials said.

The mega exercise comes immediately on the heels of the bilateral Indo-Japan air combat exercise “Veer Guardian,” which was also hosted at the Jodhpur airbase.

The Indian Air Force will field its major frontline operational platforms, including Rafale and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, alongside support platforms including airborne early warning and control aircraft, transport planes and air-to-air refuelling tankers, officials said.

Announcing the 2026 edition, the IAF’s media coordination centre wrote on X on September 21: “Exercise Tarang Shakti is back. Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 returns as India’s premier multinational air exercise, bringing global Air Forces together for high-octane joint tactical manoeuvres.”

During the inaugural 2024 edition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had termed the exercise an effort to strengthen cooperation, coordination and trust with partner countries.