The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to host the second edition of 'Tarang Shakti 2026'—the largest multinational air exercise in its history—in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan (covering the Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Phalodi sectors) from September 26 to October 12. More than 40 major air forces from around the world are participating in this massive exercise—held in close proximity to the Pakistan border—either as active participants or observers.
Frontline combat aircraft such as the US's 5th-generation stealth fighter F-35, France's advanced Rafale, the UAE's F-16, and Bangladesh's C-130J will showcase their capabilities during this mega air drill. For its part, the IAF will deploy its entire fleet—including Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, and the indigenous 'Tejas' (LCA Tejas)—into this multinational operational scenario.
Conducted within a vast airspace reserved up to an altitude of 40,000 feet, the exercise adheres to the most complex standards of modern air warfare. It involves practical training for missions such as air-to-air refuelling, precision night bombing, electronic warfare, and the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
According to Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the exercise is not merely a display of military might but a global platform to showcase the capabilities of India's aerospace and indigenous defense industries to the world. Demonstrating the capabilities of Indian-made military systems and defense equipment to friendly nations will also provide a new impetus for future Indian defense exports.
'Tarang Shakti 2026' underscores the Indian Air Force's growing interoperability and strategic significance on the global stage. This exercise sends a clear message that India is not only fully capable of defending its borders but has also emerged as a leading power center for maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asian regions.