Indian Airspace witnessed the arrival of Top guns with wonderful 5th generation Thunderbirds, after covering thousands of miles like Demoiselle Canes and Flamingos flocking together and gracefully, landing in deserts of Rajasthan across the globe on 23 September 23, 2026.
The landing base was the venue of multinational Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2.0 at Jodhpur Airbase, Rajasthan and adjoining airbases on Western Front in close proximity of Pakistan Air bases of Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalpur. The duration of this international training event is from September 26 to October 12, 2026.
The main objective of Ex Tarang Shakti is to orient and prepare to operate as unified force, across all participating nations, to plan and execute multinational joint combat operations in a realistic contemporary battle space and derive tactical viable solutions.
The participating nations are Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, UAE and United States, while 32 nations have been invited as observers. Theme of the show is ‘Power in Partnership’. The main aim is to generate Mutual trust, Operational learning and Interoperability.
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen and Civil Aviation) as per the International Civil Aviation protocol had been issued on September 22, 2026 as warning and safety measure for international and national civil air traffic not to enter Exercise Air Space up to an altitude of 40,000 feet. Missions will include bombing drills against simulated targets in Pokhran Field firing Ranges, Air to Air Refuelling, Rapid response capabilities and precision strikes in complex multinational scenarios.
Tarang Shakti 2.0 will have participation of about 80 combat aircrafts including Fighter Jets of 4 and 5 Generation, Transport Aircrafts, Refuelling Tankers and AWACs with 2000 plus Pilots, ground staff and Technicians of 40 Foreign Air forces. Airforce Chiefs of 10 nations are likely to attend as special guests of honour. F 35 Lightening II, the pride of USAF will be participating in this edition of the Exercise, for the first time in India.
For the first time in India, the US Air Force has deployed six 5.5-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters alongside C-17 Globemaster
Further, French Air Force arrived with 4x Rafale M Multi role fighter, 4x A 330 MRTT Phoenix refuelling Aircrafts and A 400 Atlas with 300 Air force personnel.
USAF has brought a contingent of six F 35 Lightening II Stealth 5.5 Generation Fighters with zero radar signatures and also support Aircrafts C17 Globemaster with 250 Air warriors.
Germany is also participating with a half squadron of Eurofighters (Typhoons) and support Aircrafts and 150 air warriors
UAE Airforce has brought half squadron of F 16 Fighters with 200 support staff, Australian Airforce sent F 16s and C 130 J Hercules with 50 Air warriors, Sri Lankan Air force came with C130 J Hercules with 50 Air warriors and Bangla Desh Airforce has sent C 130 J Hercules with 50 Air warriors
IAF will be deploying its major Air assets in this Exercise. It will include all our frontline Fighter aircrafts – SU 30 MK 1, MiG 29, Mirage 2000, Jaguars, Tejas duly supported by C 17, C 295 and C 130 J, IL 76 Transport fleet. Refuelers IL 78, AWAC and helicopters.
Tarang Shakti 1.O – A Review
The first edition of Ex Tarang Shakti was a grand success. It was held in two phases The phase 1 was held at Sulur Air base, Tamil Nadu from August 6 to August 14, 2024. The main participants were Royal Air force (UK), French Air Force, German Air Force and the Spanish Air Force with 40 Combat and Transport Aircrafts along with Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force showcases its complete operational spectrum, seamlessly bridging Western, Russian and indigenous platforms like Su-30MKI, Rafale and Tejas
The second phase of the Exercise was held at Jodhpur Air base in Rajasthan from August 30 to September 14, 2024. It included Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Japan, Singapore, UAE, and United States Air Forces.
Total 40 aircrafts participated, including 27 fighters and transport aircrafts, Tankers and Early Warning platforms. As many as 11 nations displayed their assets and additional 18 nations were invited as Observers.
Russia was invited as major participant but it expressed inability due to its involvement in the Ukraine War.
USAF displayed F 16 fighting Falcons, A 10 Thunderbolts, KC 135 Strato Tanker, C 17 Globe Master, C 130 J and Bombardiers AWACs. Australian AF participated with three Growlers EA 18 G Boeing, Greece AF with F 16s, Japanese AF brought new F2 Mitsubishi fighters, UAE and Singapore’s F 16 also actively participated, while Sri Lankan Airforce’s C 130 J also joined the logistics mission. Bangladesh withdrew at the last moment but rejoined as observer.
The missions conducted during Exercise were beyond visual range combat missions, large force engagements, air mobility operations, dynamic targeting and high value asset protection.
German Airforce Chief (Lt Gen Ingo Gerhart), French Air Chief (Air Marshal Stephene Mill), Spanish Air Chief (Air Marshal Francisco Braco Carbo), flew their fighters and also flew in Tejas and SU 30MK1 with the then IAF Chief Air Marshal V R Chaudhari.
IAF also hosted the Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX -II) from September 12 to 14, 2026 inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.
Operational drills spanning Pokhran ranges, feature simulated bombing, air-to-air refueling, dynamic targeting and complex mock engagements between “Blue” and “Red” forces
Tarang Shakti 1.0 involved almost 1000 sorties. Surya Kiran Hawks and Sarang Advance Light Helicopter aerobatics team performed a wonderful Air show, to keep the foreign air Warriors spell bound. Ex Tarang Shaki 1.0 ended on an happy note and all participating Air force heads appreciated the hosts.
Tarang Shakti 2.0
A beautiful inaugural ceremony was organised at Jodhpur Airforce Station on September 26, 2026 based on cultural traditions of Rajputana folklores which was attended by Airforce chiefs of seven friendly nations along with IAF chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh as the host.
The contingents of 32 observer nations were also present. By evening, Six F 35 L II also landed at the base, On September 27, 2026, familiarisation of each others equipment was conducted and coordination instructions for joint flying manoeuvres were explained.
The entire western belt forward airbases were activated from Amritsar to Bhuj. The air bases of Suratgarh, Nal, Jaisalmer, Bhisiana were on high alert. On September 28, Rafale crews of IAF and the French Air Force flew together and also shared cockpits.
By September 30, 2026, joint-missions were in operation amongst USAF, UAEAF, Australian Airforce and German Airforce. Indian Airforce is the only Airforce operating with Russian equipment i.e. SU 30 MK I, MiG 29, IL 76, IL 78 and with Indian made Tejas Mk I supported by US origin C-17 Globe Master III and C 130J Hercules aircrafts and French origin Rafale and Mirage 2000.
There will be mock exercises between Blue Land Airforce and Red Land Airforce. Indian made Helicopters like Rudra, Dhurv and Prachanda will also display their firepower and capabilities.
Tarang Shakti 2.0 will have a wider canvas beyond flying operations with a range of professional, cultural and outreach activities planned during the event.
There will be a dedicated seminar, industrial tour, Flying Officer Nirmal Sekhon PVC marathon, heritage tours and yoga camps.
These engagements will provide opportunities for professional exchange, exposure to the Indian aerospace and industrial ecosystem and generate camaraderie among participating nations.
Beyond aerial warfare, the exercise incorporates industrial tours, yoga camps, the Flying Officer Nirmal Sekhon PVC marathon, and heritage visits to deepen multinational camaraderie
The grand finale will be an air display by ace pilots of the eight nations. Finally, Surya Kiran aerobatics team and Sarang of Indian Airforce will enchant the guest contingents on October 12, 2026.
The exercise reaffirms India’s commitment to constructive defence engagements and enhanced military cooperation in support of regional peace, security and stability, while strengthen partnership and fostering greater strategic cooperation through shared operational situations.
It is a golden opportunity for the IAF to demonstrate its operational capabilities, professional standards and institutional ethos, while highlighting growing aerospace and defence capabilities of India. The main theme is to reinforce cooperation, interoperability and mutual trust among participating air forces and nations.
Air shows and Air Exercise are different in nature and objective. During the Airshows only single aircraft of a nation displays its capabilities piloted by Test pilots in ideal conditions basically for commercial marketing and export, where as in Air exercises, during mock combat, pilots of different Air forces study each other’s capabilities and aircraft performance. The communication equipment is also compared.
The jointness is be a force multiplier when going for UN Missions/ Disaster Relief Missions/ Rescue missions in regions affected by natural calamities. Ex Tarang Shakti is a landmark event by IAF, where Eastern and Western block fighters and cargo birds fly together in harmony and trust.
-The writer is an Indian Army veteran and a defence analyst. He has keen interest in Geo-strategic affairs and writes regularly on internal and external affairs issues related to India and neighbours. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
