Seven foreign air forces to participate in India's Tarang Shakti exercise

The Indian Air Force is set to conduct its most expansive international air exercise to date, with seven foreign air forces confirming participation in Tarang Shakti-26, scheduled to take place in Jodhpur. The exercise represents a strategic evolution in India's defence engagement approach, transitioning from predominantly bilateral interactions to comprehensive multilateral operations.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, underscored this shift in operational strategy. "For many years, operational engagement with foreign air forces was largely conducted through bilateral exercises," he noted, highlighting how the new format enables broader cooperation across multiple nations simultaneously.

The Tarang Shakti series, held biennially, provides a platform for participating air forces to demonstrate operational capabilities, exchange tactical expertise, and strengthen interoperability standards. The exercise encompasses various aspects of modern air warfare, including combat operations, air defence, and coordination protocols among allied forces.

The participation of seven foreign air forces underscores India's growing role as a regional security anchor and its commitment to fostering defence partnerships across South and Southeast Asia. The exercise is expected to generate insights into contemporary air operations and facilitate lasting professional relationships among participating nations' air arms.