EXERCISE TARANG SHAKTI 2026: “POWER IN PARTNERSHIP”

1. At a Glance

• Tarang Shakti is the Indian Air Force's (IAF) multilateral air exercise. It is hosted in India, and Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) take part as participants or observers [1][2].
• The 2026 edition runs from 26 Sep to 12 Oct 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. Its theme is "Power in Partnership" [1].
• It is the second edition, after the inaugural edition in 2024. PIB called the 2024 edition India's largest multinational air exercise [1][2].
• UPSC relevance: defence diplomacy, interoperability, the Indo-Pacific and neighbourhood partnerships, and showcasing indigenous aerospace capability under Aatmanirbharta [1][4].

2. Why in the News

• The inaugural ceremony was held on 26 Sep 2026. The IAF announced the start of the operational phase at Jodhpur on 27 Sep 2026 [1].
• Seven FFCs are taking part: Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Several other FFCs are observers [1].
• The F-35 Lightning II is among the foreign aircraft flying in an IAF-hosted exercise [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• Rationale: improve interoperability and operational coordination with FFCs [2].
• 2024 (inaugural edition):
• Conducted by the IAF with activities at Jodhpur [2][4].

• It was described as India's first-ever multinational air exercise hosted in India [2].

• 11 Sep 2024: the IAF held a multinational symposium on "Air Domain Awareness" in Jodhpur. Its theme was "Collaborative Approach to Facilitate Air Domain Awareness Towards Enhancing Regional Security" [2].

• 2024 participation: 50+ delegates from 27 nations attended [2].
• Sep 2024: the IAF hosted the Indian Defence Aviation Exposition-II (IDAX) at Jodhpur alongside the exercise [3]. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh attended the exercise and inaugurated IDAX-24 [4].
• 2024, Rajnath Singh's view: the exercise will strengthen cooperation, coordination and trust with friendly countries [4].
• 2024, Vice Chiefs' flight: the Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force flew together, which PIB described as a milestone for indigenous defence capabilities [5].
• 2026 (second edition): Jodhpur, 26 Sep to 12 Oct, 7 participating FFCs, and a wider programme beyond flying [1].
• Related IAF exercises (not the same as Tarang Shakti):
• Vayu Shakti-24 was an IAF firepower demonstration in Rajasthan [6].
• The President witnessed Vayu Shakti-2026 at the Pokhran Firing Range [7].
• The IAF took part abroad in Red Flag 2024 (USA) [8] and Udara Shakti 2024 (Malaysia) [9].

4. Core Static Facts

Aircraft categories (general knowledge, not from the sources):

• Fighters: F-35, Rafale, F-16
• Transport aircraft: A400M, C-130, C-130J
• Tankers: MRTT, KC-30A. The KC-30A is based on the Airbus A330 MRTT.

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Geopolitical / Strategic

• Quad partners:
• The USA and Australia are both participants [1].

• Japan is not a listed participant. It may or may not be among the unnamed observers [1].

• Neighbourhood:

• Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are participants, which signals outreach to South Asia [1].

• Europe and West Asia:

• France and Germany represent Europe [1].

• The UAE represents India's West Asia partnerships [1].

• The release frames the exercise as supporting "regional peace, security and stability" and constructive defence engagement [1].

Defence / Security (operational)

• Combat, airlift and AAR assets together allow training for complex composite missions [1].
• The exercise brings together aircrew, mission planners and support personnel, which builds interoperability in doctrine and procedures [1].
• Flying alongside 5th-generation F-35s exposes the IAF to how partners operate these aircraft [1].

Economic / Industrial (Aatmanirbhar Bharat)

• The industrial tour gives foreign contingents exposure to India's aerospace and industrial ecosystem. This is a soft route to promoting defence exports [1].
• The release explicitly aims to highlight India's growing indigenous aerospace and defence capabilities [1].
• Precedent: the IDAX expo was held alongside the 2024 edition [3][4].

Soft Power / Cultural Diplomacy

• Yoga sessions, heritage tours and the Sekhon Marathon give the exercise a wider canvas beyond flying [1].
• Sekhon: the marathon's name likely honours Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC (1971), the IAF's only Param Vir Chakra recipient. This is general knowledge; the source does not explain the name.

Governance / Institutional

• The exercise showcases the IAF's "professional standards and institutional ethos" [1].
• Aerospace safety is named as a focus area, which matters for multinational flying [1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Vayu Shakti-2026: the President of India witnessed it at the Pokhran Firing Range [7].
• 26 Sep 2026: inaugural ceremony of Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur [1].
• 27 Sep 2026: the operational phase begins [1].
• Through 12 Oct 2026: flying operations, a seminar, an industrial tour, the Sekhon Marathon, heritage tours and yoga sessions [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Tarang Shakti is a multilateral air exercise hosted by the IAF [1].
• Inaugural edition: 2024. The 2026 edition is the second [1].
• The 2024 edition was called India's largest multinational air exercise [2].
• 2026 venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur [1].
• 2026 dates: 26 Sep to 12 Oct 2026 [1].
• 2026 theme: "Power in Partnership" [1].
• 7 participating FFCs: Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh [1].
• Foreign aircraft include the F-35 Lightning II and the A400M [1].
• Tankers in the exercise: MRTT and KC-30A [1].
• The 2026 edition includes a Sekhon Marathon and yoga sessions [1].
• 2024 symposium theme: "Air Domain Awareness", held on 11 Sep 2024 at Jodhpur [2].
• The 2024 edition drew 27 nations and 50+ delegates [2].
• IDAX-24 (Indian Defence Aviation Exposition-II) was held at Jodhpur alongside the 2024 edition [3][4].
• Vayu Shakti is an IAF firepower demonstration, and the 2026 edition was at Pokhran. It is not a multinational exercise [7].

8. What the Big Participation Numbers Do Not Tell You

• "27 nations" is not the same as 27 air forces flying
• The 27 nations figure for 2024 counts delegates, and many came only to watch or to attend the symposium [2].
• In 2026, only 7 countries actually fly. The observers are not even named [1].

• In an answer, write "7 participants plus observers". Do not write "27 air forces trained together".

• The two editions were built differently, so a simple comparison can mislead you

• In 2024, Phase I was held at Air Force Stations Sulur and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), 06–14 Aug 2024 [14].
• Air forces from Germany, the UK, France and Spain flew at Sulur [15].
• The UK and Spain are not on the 2026 participant list. The 2026 edition also runs at a single base, Jodhpur [1].

• So you cannot call 2026 "bigger" or "smaller" from headcounts alone. The format changed.

• The official release reports activities, not results

• The 2026 release lists aircraft, events and aims such as interoperability (the ability of different air forces to plan and fly together using shared procedures) [1].
• It gives no measure of what improved, such as a common procedure agreed or a joint mission type tested [1].
• Without such measures, "success" means the exercise took place, not that something changed.

9. A Strong Show by an Air Force Short of Fighters

• The host has fewer fighter squadrons than it is allowed
• As of December 2024, the IAF had 31 active fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42 [13].
• A squadron has about 20 aircraft. That is a gap of roughly 200 fighters on paper [13].

• The Standing Committee on Defence (2024) said the IAF needs at least 180 fighter aircraft under current circumstances [13].

• The money for new aircraft is limited

• The same Committee found that the capital funding (money for buying new equipment) given to the Air Force was not enough to buy a large number of fighters [13].
• In 2026-27, salary and pension together take about 44% of defence spending. Pensions alone take about 22% [13].

• Capital outlay is only 29% of the 2026-27 defence budget [13].

• Why this matters for Tarang Shakti

• Partners fly the F-35, a 5th-generation stealth fighter, at Jodhpur [1]. The IAF does not yet operate a fighter of that class (general knowledge, not from the sources).
• The exercise helps IAF crews learn how partners operate such aircraft. It does not fill India's own squadron gap.
• Diplomacy can add to hard capability, but it cannot replace it.

10. Selling to Sellers: The Limits of the Industrial Showcase

• Most visiting air forces come from countries that sell weapons
• The USA, France and Germany are all participants [1]. Their own industries build the F-35, Rafale and A400M flown at the exercise [1].
• These are India's competitors or suppliers in the arms market, not likely buyers of Indian aircraft.

• The more realistic export audience on the list is smaller: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the UAE [1].

• India still buys far more weapons than it sells

• India was the second-largest arms importer in the world in 2020–2024 [13].
• PRS points to three weaknesses: little high-tech manufacturing, too little R&D (research and development) spending, and concerns about quality [13].

• An industrial tour can make a good impression. It cannot fix these gaps by itself.

• What to write in Mains

• The showcase is useful for building trust and brand, but it is a first step.
• Exports need proven, delivered products and after-sales support, and a tour offers neither.

11. Is This Tilting Towards the West? The Strongest Objection

• The objection
• Of the 7 participants, 5 are the USA, its allies or Western partners: USA, Australia, France, Germany, and the Quad-linked grouping [1].

• The inclusion of the F-35 and the absence of any other major power from the list suggest India is drifting into a Western camp. That would weaken strategic autonomy (India's policy of keeping its choices open and not joining any bloc).

• What is fair about it

• The flying list does lean Western. The 2024 Sulur phase also drew only European air forces [15].

• India's flagship air exercise signals its closest operational partners. Other countries notice that signal.

• Why the objection goes too far

• The list also includes two neighbours, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and a Gulf partner, the UAE [1].
• "Several other FFCs" (Friendly Foreign Countries) are observers, which keeps the door open to a wider group [1].
• The declared aim is "regional peace, security and stability", not action against any named country [1].
• A fair conclusion: the exercise shows India choosing whom to train with closely. That is multi-alignment (working with many partners on different issues), not an alliance.

12. What Should Happen Before the Third Edition

• MoD should fix the balance of the defence budget
• The Standing Committee on Defence has recommended an ideal 60:40 revenue-to-capital ratio. Revenue spending covers salaries, pensions and running costs. Capital spending covers new equipment [13].
• Capital spending is now at 29%, well below the 40% the ratio implies [13].

• Closing this gap matters more for the squadron shortfall than any exercise does.

• The IAF should invite more likely buyers, not only sellers

• Sri Lanka and Bangladesh already take part [1]. More Indian Ocean and South-East Asian air forces could be added as participants.

• The IAF already trains with Malaysia (Udara Shakti) and Singapore [9][12]. These are natural candidates.

• The IAF should report outcomes, not just activities

• Future releases could state what was tested, for example air-to-air refuelling across different air forces' tankers [1].

• This would let Parliament and the public judge the value of hosting.

• The IAF should keep the multi-base format

• The 2024 edition used southern bases as well as Jodhpur [14].
• Using several bases spreads the training and lets partners see different operating conditions.

13. Anchors for Answers

• Data: IAF had 31 active fighter squadrons against an authorised 42 (Dec 2024) [13]
• Data: Capital outlay is 29% of the defence budget in 2026-27. Salary and pension take 44% [13]
• Data: India was the world's second-largest arms importer in 2020–2024 [13]
• Report/Committee: Standing Committee on Defence (2024): capital funding is not enough to buy a large number of fighters, and the IAF needs at least 180 fighters. It also recommended a 60:40 revenue-to-capital ratio [13]
• Comparison: Tarang Shakti 2024 ran in two phases (Sulur/Thanjavur, then Jodhpur), while 2026 runs at Jodhpur alone [14][1]

14. Mains Relevance

GS papers and syllabus headings

• GS-II: India and its neighbourhood; bilateral, regional and global groupings affecting India's interests.
• GS-III: Security challenges and their management; indigenisation of technology; defence technology.

Possible question stems

1. "Multilateral military exercises hosted by India have become instruments of defence diplomacy as much as of operational training." Discuss with reference to Exercise Tarang Shakti. (15 marks)
2. How does interoperability with partner air forces strengthen India's strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific? Examine the role of multinational air exercises in this context. (10 marks)
3. India is increasingly using military exercises to showcase its indigenous defence-industrial base. Critically evaluate this approach in light of the goal of becoming a defence exporter. (15 marks)

15. Related Topics to Study Next

• Vayu Shakti: an IAF firepower demonstration that is easily confused with Tarang Shakti [6][7].
• Red Flag (USA): a multinational air exercise abroad with IAF participation, useful for comparing formats [8].
• Udara Shakti (Malaysia): a bilateral air exercise, useful for building the list of "Shakti" names [9].
• Exercise Shakti (India–France Army) and Garuda Shakti (India–Indonesia Special Forces): name traps [10][11].
• India–Singapore joint military training (IAF–RSAF, West Bengal): another format of air force cooperation [12].
• Positive Indigenisation Lists and defence exports: connect to the exercise's industrial-showcase goal (search terms only; not sourced here).
• Quad and India–Australia / India–US defence frameworks: strategic context for the participant list.

16. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Tarang Shakti vs Vayu Shakti:
• Tarang Shakti is multinational, with foreign participants [1].

• Vayu Shakti is an IAF firepower demonstration at Pokhran or in Rajasthan [6][7].

• Similar "Shakti" names:

• Shakti is an India–France Army exercise [10].
• Garuda Shakti is an India–Indonesia Special Forces exercise [11].

• Udara Shakti is an India–Malaysia air exercise held abroad [9].

• Edition count: 2026 is the second edition, not the first. The first was in 2024 [1].

• Participants vs observers:
• Only 7 FFCs are participants in 2026 [1].
• The 27 nations figure belongs to the 2024 edition (delegates) [2].

• The 2026 observers are not named [1].

• Aircraft-to-country mapping: the release lists aircraft but does not match them to countries [1]. Do not assume, for example, that the Rafale came only from France or the F-35 only from the USA.