Mega Air War Over Rajasthan: 40 Nations Bring F-35s, Rafales to IAF's 'Tarang Shakti' at Jodhpur
_1429410168.jpg)
The skies over the Thar Desert are set to roar as the Indian Air Force prepares to host the second edition of "Tarang Shakti," India's premier multi-nation multilateral air combat exercise, at the strategic Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12. Transforming the regional airbase into a massive staging ground for joint global air power, the high-intensity tactical drills will witness the participation of air forces and military assets from more than 40 nations, including leading NATO members such as the United States and France alongside regional allies. Following closely on the heels of the bilateral Indo-Japan combat exercise "Veer Guardian" held at the same base, this mega drill highlights India's expanding role as an anchor of international defense cooperation and aerial interoperability across the Indo-Pacific.
Global Stealth and Frontline Jets Descend on Jodhpur: F-35, Rafale, and F-16 Formations
The international roster for Tarang Shakti brings together some of the world's most sophisticated fourth and fifth-generation combat aircraft, tactical airlift carriers, and electronic intelligence assets. Defense officials confirmed that the United States Air Force will participate with two to three of its frontline fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, bringing advanced low-observable combat technologies to Indian desert airspace. Concurrently, the French Air and Space Force will deploy its battle-tested Rafale multirole fighter jets, while the United Arab Emirates Air Force will field its advanced F-16 Desert Falcons. The diverse multi-fleet lineup will execute complex Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements, coordinated composite strike formations, and integrated air defense drills alongside heavy transport carriers and tactical combat platforms from participating partner nations.
Indian Air Force Deploys Core Fleet: Sukhoi-30 MKI, Rafale, AWACS, and Mid-Air Refuelers
Leading the operational sorties as the host service, the Indian Air Force will commit its primary multi-mission air assets, anchoring strike formations around its indigenous-operationalized Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI squadrons. To support uninterrupted tactical execution across wide operational envelopes, the IAF is deploying specialized force multipliers, including Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Netra and Phalcon surveillance aircraft, mid-air aerial refueling tankers (IL-78), and heavy-lift tactical transport platforms like the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules. Building on the foundational success of the maiden edition organized in 2024, Tarang Shakti 2026 aims to benchmark air combat doctrines, streamline joint multi-domain operations, and demonstrate India's aerial combat readiness on a global scale.
_1252820848_351x234.jpg)
_1054513417_351x234.jpg)
_1429410168_351x234.jpg)
_71973938_351x234.jpg)