F-35 fighter jets to make Indian exercise debut in Tarang Shakti 2026, ET Government reports
What happened
The Indian Air Force will feature F-35 fighter aircraft in an exercise in India for the first time during Tarang Shakti 2026, according to ET Government. The IAF plans to use the multinational exercise to test tactical lessons from Operation Sindoor alongside participating foreign forces.
Why it matters
The integration of advanced F-35 platforms gives the Indian Air Force an opportunity to test operational coordination and combat interoperability directly with key international military partners during high-intensity aerial maneuvers.
Bigger picture
Multinational exercises like Tarang Shakti reflect deepening defense alignment in the region, providing a structured platform for partner nations to refine shared combat doctrines and coalition aerial warfare tactics.
Watch next
Look for official Indian Air Force announcements detailing the final exercise dates, the complete list of participating foreign air forces, and post-exercise assessments.