Jodhpur: Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 continued to highlight international cooperation and operational interaction among participating air forces, with senior representatives from the United States and France engaging with the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Jodhpur. Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the United States to India, witnessed the exercise at Jodhpur and observed the joint training activities involving participating air forces. His visit highlighted the cooperation, interoperability and professional interaction taking place during the multinational air exercise.
During the engagement, Lt Gen Dominique Tardif, Vice Chief of the French Air and Space Force, met Exercise Director Air Vice Marshal Raj Thakur. The interaction reaffirmed the longstanding defence and professional cooperation between the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force. Tarang Shakti 2026 is the second edition of the IAF’s multinational air exercise and is being conducted from September 26 to October 12, 2026, at Air Force Station Jodhpur and adjoining air bases. Seven Friendly Foreign Countries are participating with air assets, while 32 nations are attending as observers.
The exercise is focused on enhancing mutual understanding of tactical air power, interoperability and multinational cooperation through integrated air operations, joint administration, logistics support and maintenance coordination.
The multinational participation includes air forces from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the United States, with aircraft including Rafale, F-35, F-16, A400M, C-130/C-130J, KC-135 and King Air 350 platforms.
The latest engagements come as Tarang Shakti 2026 brings together participating air forces for flying, familiarisation and exchange sorties, alongside professional engagements and other scheduled activities. The exercise schedule also includes an open day featuring static and aerial displays on October 8 and a Distinguished Visitors’ Day on October 10.
The presence of senior US and French officials at Jodhpur adds to the exercise’s focus on jointness, interoperability and professional military cooperation among participating nations. Recent imagery from Jodhpur also documents Ambassador Sergio Gor with personnel from participating air forces and Air Vice Marshal Raj Thakur with Lt Gen Dominique Tardif during Tarang Shakti 2026
