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Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise in India

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2026-09-27 09:16 UTC → 2026-09-27 09:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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