Tejas, Rafale, F-35 Fly Together at Tarang Shakti

The Indian Air Force is hosting the second edition of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan. The exercise includes the first tactical participation of the United States Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter on Indian soil, along with Indian and foreign combat and transport aircraft.

Tarang Shakti Exercise

Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force. The 2026 edition involves around 80 combat and military transport aircraft and about 1,500 personnel from participating air forces.

• The exercise is held in two editions, and the 2026 event is the second edition.
• The venue is Jodhpur Air Force Station, which is a major Indian Air Force base in Rajasthan.
• The exercise includes realistic contemporary battlespace scenarios for air operations.

Aircraft Participating in the Exercise

The Indian Air Force has deployed Tejas, Rafale, Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fighter aircraft. Foreign air assets include F-35A fighters from the United States, Rafales from France, F-16s from the United Arab Emirates, C-130J aircraft from Australia and Bangladesh, A400M aircraft from Germany, and KA-360ER surveillance aircraft from Sri Lanka.

• The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft used by the United States Air Force.
• The Su-30MKI is the Indian variant of the Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter.
• The C-130J Super Hercules is a military transport aircraft used for airlift missions.

Operational Purpose and International Participation

The exercise focuses on interoperability, coordination, mutual understanding, and sharing operational experience in multinational air combat operations. Around 32 additional nations are attending Tarang Shakti 2026 as observers.

• Interoperability refers to the ability of different armed forces to operate together in joint missions.
• Observer participation is a common feature in multinational military exercises.
• The exercise provides a platform for air forces to practise joint tactics and mission planning.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932.
• Rajasthan hosts several major Indian Air Force stations, including Jodhpur Air Force Station.
• The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin.
• Tejas is India’s indigenous light combat aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Aeronautical Development Agency.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is the Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. Tarang Shakti 2026 includes participation from seven foreign countries with air assets and observers from about 32 other nations.