US F-35 Jets Arrive in Jodhpur for Tarang Shakti Exercise
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Six US Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets have arrived at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan to participate in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026. The deployment marks a major appearance of the advanced American fighters in an Indian multinational air exercise.
The F-35s are taking part in joint flying activities with Indian Air Force aircraft, including the Tejas, Rafale and Su-30MKI. The drills are aimed at improving operational coordination and interoperability between the participating air forces.
Tarang Shakti 2026 brings together India and several partner nations for complex aerial training and operational exercises. The participation of the F-35 adds a fifth-generation stealth fighter capability to the multinational drills.
The arrival of the American jets in Jodhpur has also drawn attention because of the opportunity to observe the F-35 operating alongside some of India’s frontline fighter aircraft. The exercise highlights growing defence cooperation and professional exchanges between the participating countries.