6 US F-35s and Over 200 Air Force Personnel Arrive in India for 'Tarang Shakti' Exercise

Six US F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and more than 200 air force personnel have arrived in Rajasthan, India, to participate in the 'Tarang Shakti 2026' exercise. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore announced their participation in this multinational exercise, which is being held in Jodhpur.
In a post on the social media platform X on Saturday (September 26), Gore stated that this marks the first time the US Air Force is participating in the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise with F-35 fighter jets.
Organized by the Indian Air Force, the exercise began in Jodhpur on September 26 and is scheduled to continue until October 12. This is the second edition of 'Tarang Shakti,' following its inaugural event in 2024.
Reports indicate that the Bangladesh Air Force has also joined the exercise with C-130J aircraft; the C-130J is a military transport aircraft.