NEW DELHI, Sep 22: The United States’ F-35 stealth fighter jet will be among the major international aircraft participating in the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti, scheduled to be held at Jodhpur Air Force Station from September 26 to October 12.
According to the Indian Air Force, air forces from seven countries — the US, France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the UAE — will participate in the multinational air exercise.
The Indian Air Force will showcase several of its frontline aircraft, including the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI, during the exercise.
Among the foreign aircraft, the US F-35, French Rafale, UAE F-16 and Bangladesh’s C-130J are expected to take part in joint tactical manoeuvres at the Jodhpur Air Force Station.
The F-35, which participated in Aero India 2025, will be displayed at Exercise Tarang Shakti for the first time, officials said.
The multinational exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating air forces, strengthening operational cooperation and providing a platform for joint tactical training.
Exercise Tarang Shakti will follow the Veer Guardian bilateral air exercise between India and Japan, which is being conducted at the same venue from September 9 to 22.
The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024 in two phases, at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and Jodhpur, with fighter aircraft from countries including the UK, Germany and France taking part.
