Key Highlights
- The visit: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Jodhpur on Saturday to attend Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026.
- The exercise: The IAF’s second multinational air exercise, running from September 26 to October 12 under the theme “Power in Partnership.”
- Participants: Seven foreign air forces (Australia, US, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh), with 32 countries as observers.
- The aircraft: Over 80 Indian and foreign aircraft, including US F-35s, French Rafales and UAE F-16s.
- Today’s programme: Aerial display, the Defence Minister’s address and a press conference by the Air Chief.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Jodhpur on Saturday to attend Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
“Today, 10th October, I shall be in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Looking forward to attend the second edition of ‘Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026’ hosted by the Indian Air Force,” he posted on X.
He will witness an aerial display, exchange mementos and address the gathering. Later, the Chief of the Air Staff will address the media at the station auditorium at 3:10 pm, followed by a press conference at 3:15 pm.
Tarang Shakti 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 26 – October 12, 2026 |
| Venue | Air Force Station Jodhpur and nearby bases |
| Theme | “Power in Partnership” |
| Participating air forces | Australia, US, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh |
| Observer nations | 32 |
| Aircraft | 80+ Indian and foreign aircraft |
Who Is Flying
The US is fielding F-35 fighter jets, France has brought seven Rafales, and the UAE is flying F-16s. The IAF is deploying its frontline Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, along with airborne early warning aircraft, transport aircraft and mid-air refuelling tankers. The drills cover counter-air missions, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift and aerial refuelling.
Why It Matters: India Hosts, the World Joins
For years, the IAF mainly travelled abroad to train in multinational exercises. With Tarang Shakti, India now hosts its own large-scale exercise, designing the scenarios and inviting other air forces to join. The first edition in 2024 was held in two phases, at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and in Jodhpur. This year’s edition, with around 40 countries involved as participants or observers, reflects how far that ambition has grown.
The exercise also gives India a platform to showcase indigenous defence platforms and technologies, in line with its push for defence manufacturing and exports.
Jodhpur’s Role
For Jodhpur, the exercise has brought one of the largest international military gatherings the city has hosted. Local police and administration have tightened security, including along the route between the Air Force Station and Umaid Bhawan Palace.
The Bottom Line
With the exercise entering its final days, Rajnath Singh’s visit puts the spotlight on Jodhpur’s skies, where the world’s air forces are training alongside the IAF.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- The visit: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Jodhpur on Saturday to attend Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026.
- The exercise: The IAF’s second multinational air exercise, running from September 26 to October 12 under the theme “Power in Partnership.”
- Participants: Seven foreign air forces (Australia, US, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh), with 32 countries as observers.
- The aircraft: Over 80 Indian and foreign aircraft, including US F-35s, French Rafales and UAE F-16s.
- Today’s programme: Aerial display, the Defence Minister’s address and a press conference by the Air Chief.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Jodhpur on Saturday to attend Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
“Today, 10th October, I shall be in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Looking forward to attend the second edition of ‘Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026’ hosted by the Indian Air Force,” he posted on X.
He will witness an aerial display, exchange mementos and address the gathering. Later, the Chief of the Air Staff will address the media at the station auditorium at 3:10 pm, followed by a press conference at 3:15 pm.
Tarang Shakti 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 26 – October 12, 2026 |
| Venue | Air Force Station Jodhpur and nearby bases |
| Theme | “Power in Partnership” |
| Participating air forces | Australia, US, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh |
| Observer nations | 32 |
| Aircraft | 80+ Indian and foreign aircraft |
Who Is Flying
The US is fielding F-35 fighter jets, France has brought seven Rafales, and the UAE is flying F-16s. The IAF is deploying its frontline Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, along with airborne early warning aircraft, transport aircraft and mid-air refuelling tankers. The drills cover counter-air missions, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift and aerial refuelling.
Why It Matters: India Hosts, the World Joins
For years, the IAF mainly travelled abroad to train in multinational exercises. With Tarang Shakti, India now hosts its own large-scale exercise, designing the scenarios and inviting other air forces to join. The first edition in 2024 was held in two phases, at Sulur in Tamil Nadu and in Jodhpur. This year’s edition, with around 40 countries involved as participants or observers, reflects how far that ambition has grown.
The exercise also gives India a platform to showcase indigenous defence platforms and technologies, in line with its push for defence manufacturing and exports.
Jodhpur’s Role
For Jodhpur, the exercise has brought one of the largest international military gatherings the city has hosted. Local police and administration have tightened security, including along the route between the Air Force Station and Umaid Bhawan Palace.
The Bottom Line
With the exercise entering its final days, Rajnath Singh’s visit puts the spotlight on Jodhpur’s skies, where the world’s air forces are training alongside the IAF.
With inputs from IANS.