Jodhpur, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : The second edition of the multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti 2026’ commenced on September 26 at the Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan, hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The U.S. Air Force has also arrived in Jodhpur, as announced by U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gore.
In a post on the social media platform X, Gore revealed that six F-35 Lightning II aircraft and over 200 U.S. personnel have come to India for this exercise. He expressed excitement at seeing America’s top fifth-generation fighters take to the skies alongside the Indian Air Force and other allied forces. A total of eight countries, including the U.S., France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, are participating directly with their fighter jets, while 32 other nations are joining as observers.
Prior to this, on September 24, Gore observed a joint military exercise at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. He noted that witnessing the American and Indian forces train together was impressive. Gore emphasized that the exercise demonstrated trust, readiness, interoperability, and a shared purpose. He also expressed pride in the achievements of the joint efforts between the U.S. and Indian militaries.
During the event, both Gore and Lieutenant General Vikrant Suresh Deshpande, General Officer Commanding of the 10th Corps, were present to witness the joint firing demonstration. The exercise showcased the artillery, rocket, helicopter, air defense, and surveillance capabilities of both armies. With just two days left until ‘Tarang Shakti 2026’ officially begins, the multinational air exercise is set to be a significant event.
In the meantime, the Mahajan Field Firing Range hosted a firing demonstration featuring the Indian Army’s Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer, and Dhanush artillery system. Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, L70 air defense guns, and Swathi weapon locating radar also participated in the exercise.
The U.S. Army showcased its capabilities with systems like HIMARS and M-ATVs. The challenging terrain of the Mahajan Field Firing Range highlighted how both armies can coordinate different weapon systems and capabilities within a shared training environment. The focus during the firing exercises was on the coordination between artillery, rockets, attack helicopters, air defense, and surveillance systems. This joint training aimed not just to display weapon systems but also to enhance the ability to jointly plan, coordinate, and execute complex military activities, thereby fostering operational synergy, professional trust, and mutual confidence between the two forces.
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