Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is the second edition of the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise. The exercise is being conducted from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur and adjoining air bases in Rajasthan. It brings together the Indian Air Force and friendly foreign air forces for multinational air-combat training, operational coordination and interoperability. The 2026 edition focuses on realistic contemporary battlespace operations and provides participating forces an opportunity to learn from each other.
In this article, you will learn about exercise, its participants, history, objectives, key operations and significance for India. It is important from the perspective of UPSC and APSC Prelims GS 1 and Mains GS 2, 3.
What Is Exercise Tarang Shakti?
Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise aims to expose participating air forces to the planning and execution of complex multinational air operations in a realistic battlespace. It covers several operational areas, including counter-air operations, air defence, force combat, reconnaissance. Moreover, it also includes airlift operations, air-to-air refuelling and other complex air missions.
What is the theme of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
The 2026 exercise carries the theme “Power in Partnership”. It highlights interoperability, cooperation, shared expertise and mutual trust among participating air forces.
Who Are the Participants in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
Eight air forces, including India, are participating with air assets in the exercise.
The participating foreign countries are Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates and the United States. In addition, 32 countries are participating as observers.
The exercise also features advanced aircraft. Reported participating platforms include India’s Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI, alongside foreign aircraft such as the US F-35, French Rafale and UAE F-16.
What Is the History of Exercise Tarang Shakti?
- The first edition of this exercise took place in 2024. It was India’s first major multinational air exercise of this scale and was conducted in two phases.
- The first phase took place at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu, while the second phase was held at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan. The 2024 exercise involved foreign air forces and observers from several countries.
- The first edition demonstrated India’s ability to host complex multinational air operations. The 2026 edition builds on that experience by bringing several friendly foreign air forces together for more advanced operational training.
What Are the Objectives of Exercise Tarang Shakti?
The primary objectives of the exercise include:
- Improve Air Force Interoperability: Multinational operations require forces to coordinate communications, procedures, mission planning and tactical activities. Therefore, the exercise helps participating air forces practise operating together.
- Strengthen Operational Preparedness: The exercise exposes aircrew and support personnel to complex operational scenarios. Consequently, participants can identify coordination challenges and develop practical solutions.
- Share Operational Experience: Different air forces use different aircraft, technologies and operating procedures. Joint training allows participants to exchange professional knowledge and operational practices.
- Strengthen Defence Cooperation: Furthermore, multinational exercises create professional relationships among military personnel and strengthen defence cooperation between participating countries.
Why Is Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 Significant for India?
This IAF exercise has significance beyond routine military training.
- Enhances Multinational Interoperability: The exercise allows the IAF to train with multiple foreign air forces in the same operational environment. This provides experience that differs from bilateral exercises.
- Supports Defence Diplomacy: India uses military exercises as an important instrument of defence diplomacy. Bringing several partners together strengthens professional relationships and mutual understanding.
- Exposes the IAF to Diverse Platforms: The participation of aircraft such as the F-35, Rafale and F-16, alongside Indian platforms, creates opportunities to understand different operational approaches. However, participation does not automatically mean unrestricted access to sensitive technologies or classified capabilities.
- Improves Mission Planning: The exercise covers counter-air, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift and air-to-air refuelling. Therefore, it provides training across multiple dimensions of modern air warfare.
- Strengthens India’s Strategic Partnerships: The participation of countries from different strategic partnerships demonstrates India’s broad defence engagement and its approach to maintaining diverse international relationships.
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: Important Facts
| Particular | Details |
| Exercise | Tarang Shakti 2026 |
| Host | Indian Air Force |
| Edition | Second |
| Dates | 26 September–12 October 2026 |
| Main venue | Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
| Theme | Power in Partnership |
| Foreign participants | Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA |
| Observers | 32 countries |
| First edition | 2024 |
| Major focus | Multinational air operations and interoperability |
The exercise is particularly relevant to understanding India’s defence diplomacy, military interoperability, air-power preparedness and strategic partnerships.
Conclusion
Tarang Shakti strengthens India’s role as a host of large-scale multinational air operations. Moreover, its focus on interoperability, realistic combat training and defence cooperation gives the IAF valuable exposure to diverse operational practices. Therefore, the exercise is significant for military preparedness. It strengthens defence diplomacy and India’s strategic engagement with partner countries.
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Tarang Shakti 2026 is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. It focuses on air-combat training, interoperability and operational coordination
The participating foreign air forces are from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the United States. Additionally, 32 countries are participating as observers.
The exercise strengthens air-force interoperability, operational preparedness and defence cooperation. Moreover, it supports India’s defence diplomacy and strategic partnerships with participating countries.
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