India's Air Diplomacy Takes Center Stage as Tarang Shakti 2.0 Looms

India's Air Diplomacy Takes Center Stage as Tarang Shakti 2.0 Looms

The Indian Air Force is preparing for its second edition of Tarang Shakti, a multinational air drill that promises to be one of the country's most significant military events. Scheduled to take place at Jodhpur Air Base in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12, the exercise will see participation from eight countries, including the United States, Australia, and the UAE.

The biggest attraction of Tarang Shakti 2.0 is the potential participation of the US Air Force's F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that would train alongside Indian Air Force fighters and provide Indian crews with an opportunity to conduct complex air operations. This would be a significant development in India's air diplomacy, showcasing the country's growing ability to host complex multinational air campaigns.

The exercise will provide the IAF with an opportunity to practise large-force employment, network-centric warfare, dissimilar air combat, air-to-air refuelling, electronic warfare, and interoperability with some of the world's most advanced air forces. The presence of the F-35 could add a new dimension to this training, helping IAF units better understand how a low-observable aircraft operates within a networked air-combat environment.

India's current fighter inventory is dominated by fourth-generation and fourth-generation-plus aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and Tejas. Training alongside an F-35 could provide valuable insights for IAF pilots and support personnel, exposing them to fifth-generation operations.

The exercise also comes at an important moment for India's air diplomacy. Tarang Shakti 2.0 follows the first edition held in 2024, which involved approximately 150 aircraft and multiple foreign air forces across two phases at Sulur and Jodhpur. The 2024 exercise included advanced fighters, airborne early-warning platforms, aerial refuellers, and electronic-warfare assets, giving the IAF experience in coordinating large multinational air operations.

Another important development is the planned Veer Guardian 2026 exercise with Japan immediately before Tarang Shakti. Reports indicate that the India-Japan drill is scheduled for September 9–22 at Jodhpur, potentially bringing Japanese F-2 fighters to India for the first time. This would create an unusually concentrated period of advanced multinational air activity at the airbase.

For the IAF, the value of Tarang Shakti 2.0 will therefore extend beyond the number of foreign fighters participating. It provides an opportunity to practise large-force employment, network-centric warfare, dissimilar air combat, air-to-air refuelling, electronic warfare, and interoperability with some of the world's most advanced air forces.

If the F-35 participation goes ahead as currently reported, Tarang Shakti 2.0 could become particularly significant for India's future air-power planning. The exercise would expose Indian pilots and support personnel to fifth-generation operations while simultaneously demonstrating India's growing ability to host complex multinational air campaigns.

As the IAF prepares for Tarang Shakti 2.0, the country's air diplomacy is taking center stage. With the potential participation of the F-35 and the planned Veer Guardian 2026 exercise with Japan, India is showcasing its growing ability to host complex multinational air campaigns. The exercise will provide valuable insights for IAF pilots and support personnel, exposing them to fifth-generation operations and interoperability with some of the world's most advanced air forces. The success of Tarang Shakti 2.0 will be a significant milestone in India's air diplomacy, marking a new era of cooperation and collaboration with its international partners.