Tarang Shakti 2026 concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on Monday, ending a 17-day multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) with seven partner air forces and observers from 32 countries.

The second edition ran from 26 September to 12 October under the theme Power in Partnership.

Tarang Shakti 2026 concludes with seven air forces and 32 observers

According to the Ministry of Defence, the seven Friendly Foreign Countries that flew in the exercise were Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Another 32 nations sent observers. The ministry said the turnout showed growing international interest in the IAF's operational capabilities, its professional standards and India's aerospace and defence ecosystem.

The exercise built on the inaugural edition of 2024. This year it served as a platform for complex joint missions, for exchanging operational experience and for improving interoperability between the participating air forces.

Fighters, tankers and transport aircraft flew joint missions

Combat, transport, surveillance and air-to-air refuelling aircraft took part.

The United States flew the F-35 stealth fighter, backed by KC-135 tankers. France brought Rafale fighters, A400M transport aircraft and A330 MRTT tankers, while the UAE fielded F-16 fighters and a Global 6000 aircraft. Germany flew the A400M. Bangladesh and Australia each sent a C-130 transport, and Sri Lanka a King Air 350, according to details released during the exercise.

It was the first time the US F-35 trained with the IAF, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, had said at the curtain-raiser briefing in September.

Aircrew, mission planners and support staff worked side by side through the exercise. The ministry said this gave each force a closer look at how the others plan and fly their missions. France's deployment arrived at Jodhpur as Mission Pegase 26, a long-range journey that brought its Rafales and tankers to Rajasthan.

Operation Sindoor experience in focus

The ministry linked the exercise to the role air power played in Operation Sindoor. It said the operation showed the IAF's ability to carry out precise, calibrated and effective operations, and highlighted the value of preparedness, integrated planning and credible deterrence. Experience from such operations, it added, makes multinational exercises like Tarang Shakti more useful for preparing for modern warfare.

Tejas and Prachand flew alongside foreign aircraft

Two Indian-designed platforms, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, took part alongside the foreign aircraft.

Both are built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Prachand also has a direct link to the host base, since the IAF inducted its first LCH unit at Jodhpur in October 2022.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Tarang Shakti also gave partner nations a chance to see the capabilities of Indian aerospace and defence industry, in line with the Government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who addressed the participants at Jodhpur on 10 October, told them that self-reliance did not mean working in isolation from partners.

Open Day at Jodhpur drew more than 20,000 visitors

The exercise was not limited to flying.

Visiting contingents went on industrial tours to see India's aerospace and defence manufacturing base, and took part in professional exchanges. Yoga sessions and heritage visits introduced them to Indian traditions, and an International Night brought the cultures of all participating nations together.

The Open Day drew more than 20,000 visitors for a close look at IAF aircraft and personnel. The ministry said such events bring the armed forces and citizens closer and draw young people towards aviation.

Exercise held as the IAF marked its 94th anniversary

The exercise ran through the IAF's 94th anniversary, marked at the Air Force Day celebrations on 8 October. According to the ministry, the IAF has grown over more than nine decades from a modest force into a modern, multi-dimensional aerospace power with a growing indigenous technology base.

The first edition, in 2024, was held in two phases, at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and at Jodhpur, and closed with a Distinguished Visitors' Day.