The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to host the second edition of its multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti 2026, at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12. The exercise will bring together air forces from several countries for joint aerial operations, tactical training and the exchange of operational experience.
The IAF announced the return of the exercise on September 21, describing Tarang Shakti 2026 as India’s premier multinational air exercise. The drills are intended to provide participating air forces with an opportunity to conduct complex aerial missions while improving coordination and interoperability between different air forces.
The 2026 edition follows the inaugural Tarang Shakti exercise conducted in 2024. Unlike the first edition, which was organised in two phases at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, the upcoming exercise will be conducted in a single phase at Jodhpur.
Several foreign air forces are expected to participate in Tarang Shakti 2026. France, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the countries that have confirmed participation, while several other nations are expected to participate as observers. The exercise will provide an opportunity for participating forces to train alongside different fighter and support aircraft.
The United States is also expected to deploy its F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft for the exercise, marking the first time the stealth fighter is expected to participate in an exercise in India. Other foreign aircraft expected to take part include F-16s, F-18s, Rafale fighters and A400M military transport aircraft.
Indian aircraft participating in the exercise are expected to include the Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Tejas fighter aircraft, along with transport aircraft, helicopters, special operations platforms, mid-air refuellers and airborne early warning and control aircraft. The participation of these platforms will allow the IAF to conduct training across a range of operational scenarios alongside international partners.
The first edition of Tarang Shakti in 2024 involved around 80 Indian and foreign aircraft and featured a range of complex training activities, including beyond-visual-range combat missions, large-force engagements, air mobility operations, dynamic targeting, low-light operations and the protection of high-value aerial assets. The exercise also enabled participating air forces to exchange operational practices and understand different approaches to mission planning and tactical coordination.
Tarang Shakti 2026 will follow the India-Japan Veer Guardian 2026 air exercise being conducted at Jodhpur. The back-to-back exercises are bringing increased international air-force activity to western Rajasthan during September and October.
With the return of Tarang Shakti, the IAF will once again provide a platform for international air forces to operate together, conduct complex aerial training and strengthen interoperability. The exercise also offers an opportunity for India to operate its frontline and indigenous aircraft alongside advanced foreign platforms in a multinational training environment.