Examine how exercises like Tarang Shakti help both interoperability and defence-export promotion under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) held the 2nd edition of Tarang Shakti, its multinational exercise, at Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026. Seven friendly foreign countries took part and 32 nations sent observers [1]. Since 2024 it has been held in place of the bilateral India–France Ex Garuda [3]. It now makes India a host of air forces, and it serves both as a training ground and as a showroom for Indian industry.

Interoperability: learning to fight together

• Shared procedures: partner air forces flew joint missions and compared their platforms and mission planning [1].
• Force multipliers: refuellers and transport aircraft (MRTT, KC-30A, A400M) let pilots practise long-range combined strike missions [2].
• Advanced exposure: IAF crews flew alongside the fifth-generation F-35 and the Rafale [2].
• Operational relevance: the Raksha Mantri linked the exercise to the precise, calibrated air operations of Operation Sindoor [1].
• Diverse partners: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the UAE flew beside the USA, France, Germany and Australia, which builds trust across regions [1].

Export promotion: a live showroom

• Platforms on show: LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand flew next to foreign jets [1]. This gives them a credibility that brochures cannot.
• Industry access: participants made industrial visits [1]. In 2024, the IDAX exposition at Jodhpur showed Indian aviation products to visiting air forces [4].
• Momentum: defence exports reached a record ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25, and the private sector earned ₹15,233 crore of it [5].

Limits to the gains

• Tejas is still only in export discussions; no sale has been signed [6].
• HAL's production lines are committed to the IAF's 97 LCA Mk1A order, with deliveries starting only in 2027-28 [7]. Its engines are imported from GE [8]. So India cannot promise foreign buyers early delivery.
• The IAF has 31 of 42 authorised fighter squadrons, and India is the world's second-largest arms importer [9]. A showcase cannot hide these gaps.

Tarang Shakti therefore turns flying hours into both readiness to fight alongside partners and credibility for Indian industry. To turn foreign interest into orders, India needs more production capacity, private-sector assembly lines and co-development of engines, so that partnerships build capability inside India. Then "Power in Partnership" will truly support Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India's aim of becoming a net security provider.