# Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise in India > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tarang-shakti-multinational-air-exercise-in-india > Updated: 2026-09-26T06:20:46.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2. The second edition of the multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ commenced on September 26 at the Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan, India, and is scheduled to run until October 12. More than 40 nations are participating in the drills. Eight countries—including the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates—are directly involving fighter aircraft, while an additional 32 countries are participating as observers. The United Arab Emirates is contributing F-16s to the exercise. France has deployed seven Rafale fighter jets via the PEGASE 26 mission to conduct maneuvers alongside the Indian Air Force. The United States is contributing six F-35 Lightning II aircraft and over 200 airmen. The Indian Air Force is utilizing frontline assets including Rafale and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, aerial warning and control aircraft, transport planes, and aerial refueling tankers. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and demonstrate defense capabilities, with the Indian fleet also featuring Mirage-2000, Tejas, and MiG-29 aircraft. On September 27, the exercise marked a historic milestone as the six American F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets operated on Indian soil for the first time, conducting complex tactical missions alongside the Indian Air Force. For India, the presence of fifth-generation technology like the F-35 provides a rare opportunity to study advanced stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare. This deployment occurs amidst broader defense developments between India and the United States, including proposals for technology transfer and local production of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, as well as progress toward the co-production of GE F414 jet engines in India to support the Tejas Mark-2 program. ## Claims - Over 40 countries are set to participate in the drills. (disputed by 7 sources) - Eight nations are directly participating with fighter jets, while 32 other countries are participating as observers. (disputed by 4 sources) - The United States is sending six F-35 Lightning II aircraft and over 200 airmen to the exercise. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The second edition of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti began at Air Force Station Jodhpur on Saturday. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The exercise is scheduled to run from September 26 to October 12. (corroborated by 8 sources) - France is participating with a total of seven Rafale fighter jets. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: Tarang Shakti 2026: US F-35 jets debut in multinational air drills in India The Tarang Shakti 2026 multinational air exercise has begun in Jodhpur, India, featuring the debut of US F-35 stealth fighters alongside French Rafales and aircraft from over 40 participating nations. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tarang-shakti-air-exercise-begins-in-jodhpur-with-40-nations ### 2026-09-21: Tarang Shakti 2026: Multinational air exercise to feature U.S. F-35s in India India's Tarang Shakti 2026 multinational air exercise in Jodhpur will feature the first-ever participation of U.S. F-35 stealth fighters alongside air forces from over 40 countries. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-to-host-tarang-shakti-2026-multinational-air-exercise --- Cite as: Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise in India. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tarang-shakti-multinational-air-exercise-in-india