The Indian Air Force is set to host the second edition of its premier multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti-26, at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12, 2026. The exercise will bring together advanced combat aircraft and aircrews from eight nations for high-intensity joint tactical manoeuvres, focusing on operational learning, interoperability, and stronger international defence partnerships.
Around 40 countries are expected to be involved overall, with seven foreign air forces participating with aircraft and personnel alongside India, while many others join as observers. Invitations were extended to 65 friendly foreign countries. Air chiefs or their equivalents from about 10 nations are also expected to attend.
Participating Nations and Key Aircraft
The seven foreign participants flying assets are the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates.
Indian Air Force will field a strong mix of frontline platforms: Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, indigenous Tejas, MiG-29, and Su-30MKI fighters, along with helicopters, transport aircraft, Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) platforms, and IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tankers.
United States: F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters (first tactical participation in an exercise on Indian soil) and KC-135 tankers. The F-35 had previously visited India for Aero India but this marks its debut in joint combat drills with the IAF.
France: Rafale fighters, A400M transport aircraft, and Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.
UAE: F-16 fighters and a Global 6000 aircraft.
Other participants: Australia and Bangladesh with C-130J transports; Germany with A400M; Sri Lanka with surveillance aircraft (King Air / KA-360ER).