IAF's Tarang Shakti 2026 ends at Jodhpur with seven partner air forces
The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti, the Indian Air Force's multinational air exercise at Air Force Station Jodhpur, closed on 12 October 2026 after running from 26 September. Air forces of seven countries, including the United States, France and Bangladesh, flew alongside the IAF, and 32 nations sent observers. India fielded the indigenous LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand.
Syllabus: Prelims · Current Affairs & IR; GS3 · Indian Achievements in S&T; GS2 · Groupings & Agreements
Why this matters for UPSC
GS3 security and GS2 international relations: Prelims can ask which countries joined Tarang Shakti and what the LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand are; Mains, how military exercises serve India's defence diplomacy and Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
Why it matters
A pilot from Sri Lanka or the UAE who has flown a joint mission over Rajasthan already knows how Indian controllers talk and plan. In a disaster or a crisis, that air force can work with the IAF quickly instead of starting from scratch. Observers from 32 countries also watched Tejas and Prachand fly, and every foreign air force that likes what it sees is a possible buyer for Indian aircraft. Exports keep production lines busy and lower the cost of each aircraft the IAF itself buys. The larger issue is India's push to be seen as a security partner in its region, backed by weapons it makes at home.
Prelims pointers
- Tarang Shakti: India's own multinational air exercise, hosted by the IAF; first edition 2024, second edition 2026 at Jodhpur.
- LCA Tejas: single-engine, delta-wing light multirole fighter; designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, built by HAL.
- LCH Prachand: twin-engine light attack helicopter built by HAL, designed to fight at high altitudes; powered by Shakti engines from HAL and Safran.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Bengaluru-based defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
- Other air exercises: Red Flag (hosted by the US), Pitch Black (Australia), Desert Flag (UAE), Garuda (India-France), Cope India (India-US).
- Indian Air Force: formed on 8 October 1932; Air Force Day is marked on 8 October.
Practise a UPSC-style question
With reference to Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Russia was one of the seven partner air forces that flew in the exercise.
2. It was hosted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
3. It was the second edition of the exercise, the first having been held in 2024.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
1 is incorrect: the seven partners were Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the United States; Russia was not among them. 2 is correct: the Indian Air Force hosted it at Air Force Station Jodhpur. 3 is correct: the 2026 exercise was the second edition after the inaugural one in 2024.
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