INDIAN AIR FORCE PRESENTS TARANG SHAKTI 2026
Tarang Shakti 2026 Begins in Jodhpur With 7 Foreign Air Forces And 32 Nations Join As Exercise Observers
The Indian Air Force has begun the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, bringing together air forces from seven Friendly Foreign Countries at Air Force Station Jodhpur and nearby air bases in Rajasthan. The exercise will run from September 26 to October 12.
The United States, France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates are participating with air assets, while 32 other nations are attending as observers.
The exercise focuses on joint air operations, including air defence, reconnaissance, airlift, air-to-air refuelling and complex combat missions. It aims to improve coordination between participating air forces and strengthen their ability to operate together, including in logistics, administration and aircraft maintenance.
A key attraction this year is the participation of the US F-35 fighter aircraft. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, said the IAF will exercise with the F-35 for the first time. The aircraft has earlier appeared in India during Aero India.
Other aircraft expected in the exercise include the French Rafale, UAE F-16, Indian Su-30MKI, Tejas and Mirage-2000, along with transport, tanker and support aircraft.
The first Tarang Shakti was held in 2024 in two phases at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur. Eleven countries participated with air assets. The exercise involved 45 aircraft, 76 missions and more than 800 sorties.
Tarang Shakti 2026 will also involve large-force operations, beyond-visual-range combat, aerial refuelling and combat search and rescue. The training will require pilots, mission planners, engineers, controllers and maintenance teams to work together.
For Jodhpur, the exercise adds another major international military event to its record of hosting IAF exercises. For India, it provides an opportunity to train with foreign air forces and improve coordination in multinational air operations.
PARTICIPATING FORCES & ASSETS
- AUSTRALIA: 01 X C-130
- BANGLADESH: 01 X C-130J
- FRANCE: 07 X Rafale, 03 X A400m, 02 X MRTT
- GERMANY: 02 X A400M
- SRI LANKA: 01 X King Air 350
- UAE: 06 X F-16 8, 01 X Global 6000
- USA: 06 X F-35, 02 X KC 135
OBSERVER COUNTRIES
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Algeria, Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam
PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT
- USAF: F35
- GERMAN AIR FORCE: A400
- SRI LANKA AIR FORCE: KING AIR 350
- UAEAF: F-16
- FRENCH AIR & SPACE FORCE: RAFALE
- BANGLADESH AIR FORCE: C130J
- ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE: C130
SCHEDULE
- 24-25 Sep 26: Induction
- 26 Sep 26: Opening Ceremony
- 28 Sep 26: Flying + Familiarisation + Exchange Sortie
- 29 Sep 26: Visit to Defence Hub Bengaluru
- 03 Oct 26: Visit to ‘Statue of Unity’ + C295 Facility
- 04 Oct 26: Sekhon Marathon
- 08 Oct 26: Open Day (Static & Aerial Display) + Yoga
- 09 Oct 26: CAPSS Seminar at New Delhi
- 10 Oct 26: DV Day + Static & Aerial Display
- 12 Oct 26: Closing ceremony
- 13 Oct 26: De-induction