The Indian Air Force on Sunday commenced the operational phase of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The multinational drill runs from September 26 to October 12 under the theme ‘Power in Partnership’.

Seven friendly foreign countries – Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – are taking part with aircraft, according to the defence ministry. Several other countries are attending as observers.

The foreign contingent includes the US F-35 Lightning II, French Rafale, UAE F-16, A400M, MRTT tankers, C-130, C-130J and Australia’s KC-30A. The F-35 is flying in an Indian-hosted multinational air exercise for the first time, after an earlier appearance at Aero India.

The drill builds on the inaugural Tarang Shakti held in 2024. It will focus on interoperability, joint mission planning, aerospace safety and professional exchanges among aircrew, mission planners and support personnel.

Why it matters: The exercise puts some of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft into one flying environment, deepening how India’s air force operates with partner forces.