US Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jets are expected to take part in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, marking the aircraft’s first participation in a military exercise in India. The multinational air exercise is scheduled from September 26 to October 12 and will bring together several international air forces.

F-35 to Join Tarang Shakti for First Exercise in India

Officials said the F-35 is expected to be deployed by the United States during the exercise. The aircraft has previously appeared at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru in 2023 and 2025, but its participation in an exercise on Indian soil would be a new development.

Tarang Shakti 2026 will be conducted at Jodhpur Air Force Station and is the second edition of the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise. The IAF has described the event as a major platform for bringing different air forces together for joint tactical operations and training.

Nine Air Forces and 30 Observer Countries

Several foreign air forces have confirmed participation in the exercise. Countries named by officials include France, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, alongside the United States.

Around 30 countries are also expected to participate as observers. Aircraft taking part are expected to include platforms such as F-16s, F-18s, Rafale fighters and A400 military transport aircraft.

IAF Fighters to Join the Exercise

Indian Air Force assets will also take part in the drills. The participating fleet is expected to include Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000 and Tejas fighter aircraft.

Transport aircraft, helicopters, special operations aircraft, mid-air refuellers and airborne early warning and control system aircraft are also expected to participate.

The exercise will provide an opportunity for participating air forces to train together and improve coordination during complex air operations.

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What Happened During Tarang Shakti 2024?

The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024 in two phases at Sulur and Jodhpur. Around 80 Indian and foreign aircraft participated in the exercise.

The drills included beyond-visual-range combat missions, large-force engagements, air mobility operations, dynamic targeting, low-light operations and protection of high-value aerial assets. The two phases together involved more than 1,000 sorties, according to the Hindustan Times report.

India’s F-35 and AMCA Plans

The expected F-35 participation comes as India continues work on its own fifth-generation fighter programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The United States has previously indicated an opening for India to acquire F-35 aircraft, but the Hindustan Times reported that the Indian Air Force had not received a formal proposal. India is also continuing its indigenous AMCA programme, while Russia has offered cooperation on production of its Su-57 fighter in India.

Tarang Shakti 2026 will therefore bring together the F-35 and several other advanced fighter platforms while giving Indian and foreign air forces an opportunity to conduct joint training in a multinational environment.