New Delhi, August 24: The Indian Air Force has completed preparations for its largest multinational exercise of the year, ‘Tarang Shakti 2.0’. This edition will prominently feature fifth-generation fighter jets, with the United States preparing to participate with its F-35 aircraft. This marks the first time that F-35s will be part of a military exercise in India, following their debut at Aero India.
According to defense officials, the F-35 fighter jets are included in the U.S. schedule for Tarang Shakti 2026. A total of eight countries are expected to participate with their aircraft, including the U.S., Australia, UAE, Greece, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Additionally, over 30 countries will join as observers.
The exercise is scheduled to take place at the Jodhpur Airbase from September 26 to October 12. For more than two weeks, allied fighter jets will engage in joint maneuvers with the Indian Air Force near the Pakistan border.
Previously, the Indian Air Force launched its largest multinational air exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti’, in 2024. The first edition was conducted in two phases: the first at Sulur Airbase in Tamil Nadu and the second at Jodhpur Airbase.
The initial phase at Sulur featured France’s Rafale, as well as Eurofighter Typhoons from Germany, Spain, and the UK. The Indian Air Force showcased nearly all its major platforms, including Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29, and the Prachand, demonstrating their operational capabilities.
The second phase at Jodhpur included Australia’s EA-18G Growler, Greece’s F-16, UAE’s F-16, and U.S. A-10 and F-16 aircraft, totaling 27 fighter jets. Additionally, two air-to-air refuelers, two airborne early warning and control systems, and three special forces aircraft participated in the exercise.
Just before Tarang Shakti 2026, a bilateral air military exercise named ‘Veer Guardian’ between India and Japan will be held in Jodhpur from September 9 to September 22. Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s F-2 fighter jets will participate. This will be the first time Japanese fighter jets visit India for this exercise.
India and Japan’s strategic relationship is rapidly evolving. On August 20, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi. Following this meeting, a joint statement was released, welcoming the continuous expansion of bilateral military exercises between Japan and India, including the Japan-India Army exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ and the Japan-India naval exercise ‘JIMEX’.
They specifically welcomed the progress in preparations for this year’s Japan-India air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 26’. The first edition of the ‘Veer Guardian’ exercise was conducted in 2023 at Japan’s Hyakuri Airbase, featuring Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI, C-17, and IL-78 mid-air refuelers, alongside four F-2 and four F-15 fighter jets from Japan.
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