JODHPUR— Six U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters have arrived at Air Force Station Jodhpur for Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, marking the first time the American fifth-generation fighter has participated in a major air exercise on Indian soil.
The multinational drill runs from September 26 to October 12 and brings together India and seven foreign air forces, with 32 additional countries attending as observers.
The exercise is being hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Rajasthan, with operations centered on Jodhpur. Jodhpur Airport (JDH) serves the city alongside the military facility, while the participating forces are using Air Force Station Jodhpur for the exercise.
The U.S. Air Force deployment includes more than 200 personnel supporting the six F-35As.
F-35 Joins Tarang Shakti
The F-35A deployment introduces a fifth-generation combat aircraft into the Indian exercise environment, where it is operating alongside Indian and foreign aircraft.
India is participating with fighters including the Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas and Mirage 2000, while France has deployed Rafale fighters and the United Arab Emirates has brought F-16s.
The U.S. aircraft come from the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Japan.
Their arrival gives Indian aircrews an opportunity to train directly with a stealth fighter during complex multinational missions rather than encountering the aircraft only during an air show or exhibition.
The F-35 has previously appeared at Aero India in Bengaluru, but its participation at Tarang Shakti represents a different level of engagement.
The aircraft is taking part in operational flying activities from an Indian air base, allowing participating forces to examine how fifth-generation and fourth-generation aircraft can operate within the same mission environment.
India Tests Joint Operations
Tarang Shakti 2026 is designed to expose participating air forces to multinational combat planning and execution across several mission areas.
These include counter-air operations, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift, air-to-air refuelling and other complex aerial missions.
The Indian Air Force has also placed emphasis on learning from recent operational experience.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, said the exercise is intended to test assumptions, procedures and different approaches to employing air power while improving interoperability between participating forces.
For India, the exercise provides exposure to an aircraft type that it does not currently operate.
The country is developing its own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), but the F-35 deployment gives Indian personnel an opportunity to observe fifth-generation operations directly during a multinational exercise.
Eight Nations Participate
Eight countries are participating with aircraft or other air assets: India, the United States, Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.
Foreign aircraft include the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A, creating a mix of fighters, transport aircraft and aerial refuelling platforms, Defense News flagged.
The exercise also expands beyond flying activity, with mission planners, aircrew and support personnel working together on operational procedures and interoperability.
The Indian Air Force said the event is intended to strengthen professional interaction and provide participants with a better understanding of different capabilities and operating methods.
With the F-35 now flying from Jodhpur, Tarang Shakti 2026 has brought one of the world’s most advanced operational fighter aircraft into a large-scale Indian air exercise for the first time.
The exercise will continue through October 12, giving participating air forces further opportunities to conduct joint missions and exchange operational experience.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
