Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: Dates, Countries, Aircraft

Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur with seven partner air forces

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Battle Brief

Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, the Indian Air Force’s multilateral air exercise, runs from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur under the theme “Power in Partnership”. Seven countries take part: Australia, the USA, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The first edition was held in 2024.

Fact File

Host: Indian Air Force
Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur
Dates: 26 Sep to 12 Oct 2026
Theme: Power in Partnership
Partners: 7 countries; others as observers
Edition: second; first in 2024

In the news

Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: what happened?

Big air exercises let air forces practise flying together so that they can work as one in a crisis. India hosts Tarang Shakti as its own multilateral exercise.

IAF’s multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 (“Power in Partnership”) runs 26 Sep–12 Oct 2026 at AF Station Jodhpur [PIB].
Participants: Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh; aircraft include F-35, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT [PIB].

Back Story

Who and what is taking part?

Countries: Australia, United States, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Foreign aircraft: F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A.
The mix covers combat, airlift and air-to-air refuelling.
Beyond flying: a seminar, an industrial tour, the Sekhon Marathon, heritage tours and yoga.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?

Tarang Shakti is hosted by the IAF.
2026 edition venue: Jodhpur.
Theme: Power in Partnership.
First edition: 2024.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Security; indigenisation of technology

As per PIB, Ministry of Defence (2026-09-27): IAF's multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 ("Power in Partnership") runs 26 Sep–12 Oct 2026 at AF Station Jodhpur.
Exercise names/hosts/participants are recurring Prelims.

Quotable data point
Participants: Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh; aircraft include F-35, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT.
PIB, Ministry of Defence: Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, 27 Sep 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is being held at

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB, 27 Sep 2026.

Practice · UPSC

The theme of Tarang Shakti 2026 is

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB, 27 Sep 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is Exercise Tarang Shakti?

A multilateral air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force.

Where is Tarang Shakti 2026 held?

At Air Force Station Jodhpur, 26 September to 12 October 2026.

Which countries take part in 2026?

Australia, the USA, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.