The Indian Air Force will host the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12, 2026, bringing together air forces from multiple countries for joint aerial operations.
Announcing the exercise on X, the IAF said “Exercise Tarang Shakti is back,” calling the 2026 edition India’s premier multinational air exercise where global air forces will conduct joint tactical manoeuvres.
The exercise will focus on tactical training and interoperability drills between participating air forces. It follows closely on the heels of the India-Japan air combat exercise Veer Guardian 2026, also conducted at Jodhpur, which concludes on September 22.
Building on the 2024 Debut
Tarang Shakti made its debut in 2024 as the IAF’s first-ever multinational air exercise of this scale, conducted in two phases at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
That inaugural edition drew participation from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, the UK and the United States. Fighter aircraft and other air assets from these nations operated alongside the IAF.
The 2026 edition is expected to carry forward that format, offering participating air forces the chance to train together, exchange operational practices and execute complex aerial missions in a joint environment.
For the IAF, Tarang Shakti also serves as a showcase opportunity, allowing indigenous and frontline platforms to operate alongside foreign fighter jets and support aircraft. This gives Indian crews direct exposure to different tactics, mission-planning approaches and operating procedures used by allied air forces.
The exercise’s core objective remains enhancing interoperability, a growing priority as India deepens defence partnerships with Western, Southeast Asian and Gulf nations. Jodhpur’s selection as host base reflects its established role as a frontline IAF station near the western border, well suited for large-scale multinational drills involving diverse fighter and support fleets.
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