Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 (Second Edition): IAF's Multinational Air Exercise with 7 Nations, French Mission Pégase Deployment

Why in News

The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti — the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) premier multinational air exercise — is being held at Jodhpur Air Force Station from 28 September to 12 October 2026, with seven foreign air forces participating. France's Air and Space Force joined the exercise as part of its seventh Mission Pégase (September 8 – October 15, 2026), deploying four Rafale F4 multirole fighters, three A330 MRTT Phénix aerial refuelling tankers, and two A400M Atlas tactical airlifters along with a 300-strong crew. The United States (F-35 stealth fighters), the UAE (F-16), and four other nations are also participating. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, tactical proficiency, and defence cooperation among participating air forces.

Background

Exercise Tarang Shakti (meaning "Wave Power" in Sanskrit) was first held in 2024 as India's largest-ever multinational air exercise, also hosted by the IAF. Prior to Tarang Shakti, India's bilateral air exercises included Exercise Garuda (India-France), Exercise Cope India (India-USA), Exercise Eastern Bridge (India-Oman), and Exercise Desert Knight (India-France). Tarang Shakti brings multiple partners together in a single multilateral format — a strategic shift reflecting India's growing centrality in the Indo-Pacific security architecture.

France's Mission Pégase is a periodic long-range air power projection exercise by the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace), designed to demonstrate France's ability to rapidly project air power worldwide to defend its overseas territories or strategic interests. The 2026 iteration is the seventh edition, covering a unique 40,000 km route from the Arctic through the Pacific, East Asia, and the Indian Ocean.

Current Developments — Exercise Details

• Venue: Jodhpur Air Force Station, Rajasthan
• Dates: 28 September – 12 October 2026
• Exercise type: Multinational air combat exercise (air superiority, strike, aerial refuelling, ISR)
• India's showcase assets: Rafale, Tejas (indigenous), Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar

Key Facts

• Tarang Shakti 1st edition: 2024 (also hosted by IAF)
• Tarang Shakti 2nd edition: 28 Sep – 12 Oct 2026, Jodhpur
• Participants: India + 7 foreign air forces
• Mission Pégase: French Air and Space Force long-range air projection; 7th edition (Sep 8 – Oct 15, 2026); 40,000 km route
• French deployment: 4 Rafale F4, 3 A330 MRTT, 2 A400M, ~300 personnel
• India's Tejas LCA: Made-in-India Light Combat Aircraft; participating demonstrates domestic aerospace capability
• Interoperability goal: Joint air operations, buddy refuelling procedures, integrated air defence, combat SAR (Search and Rescue)

Constitutional Provisions

Article 53(2) vests the supreme command of the Defence Forces of India in the President. Entry 1 of the Union List (Defence) empowers Parliament to legislate on the defence of India including defence forces. Military exercises with foreign powers fall under Article 73 (executive power of the Union, which extends to all matters on which Parliament can legislate) and are conducted under Ministry of Defence authority. India's bilateral defence treaties and MoUs with exercise partners (France, USA, UAE) are signed under Article 253 (Parliament can implement international treaties by legislation).

Legal Framework

• India-France Strategic Partnership (1998): The bilateral framework under which Garuda exercises and Tarang Shakti cooperation are conducted. Upgraded to Enhanced Defence Industrial Cooperation in 2023.
• India-USA Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI): Provides the strategic framework for US participation, including F-35 operations near Indian facilities.
• India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022): Anchors the UAE's participation.
• Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) equivalents: BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement), COMCASA, and LEMOA with the USA govern data and logistics exchanges during exercises.

Institutional Framework

• Indian Air Force (IAF): Host and organising force; headquartered in New Delhi; Chief of Air Staff (CAS) heads IAF.
• Ministry of Defence (MoD): Administrative authority; grants clearances for foreign aircraft and personnel.
• French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace): Participates under Mission Pégase 7th edition.
• USAF: United States Air Force contingent with F-35s.
• UAE Air Force: UAE Air Force and Air Defence (UAEAF&AD) with F-16s.

Strategic Significance

Exercise Tarang Shakti's strategic importance operates on multiple levels:

• Interoperability: Exercising with NATO-standard air forces (France, USA) improves India's ability to conduct joint operations using different communication protocols, identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems, and air tasking orders (ATO).
• Showcasing indigenous capability: India's Tejas LCA flying alongside Rafales and F-35s demonstrates the maturity of India's domestic aerospace industry (HAL), crucial for export credibility.
• Indo-Pacific signalling: India's role as an exercise host to Western air forces reinforces its position as a "net security provider" in the region — a key pillar of the Quad (India, USA, Japan, Australia) and India's Act East policy.
• France-India axis: The France-India Rafale procurement (36 aircraft, 2016 deal) created deep interoperability between both air forces. Mission Pégase's choice to include Jodhpur reflects the France-India "strategic axis" in defence.
• Defence exports: India's hosting of such exercises strengthens the case for Tejas exports to prospective buyers who can observe the aircraft in a multinational operational context.

Economic Dimensions

Military exercises have economic dimensions beyond the immediate operational cost:

• Defence industrial cooperation: France-India defence ties include Safran engines for helicopters, Naval Group submarines (Project-75I), and MBDA missiles. Tarang Shakti reinforces these ties and opens pathways for additional procurement.
• MRO ecosystem: Joint exercises create demand for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services — a sector India is developing under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 and Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020.
• Tejas export pipeline: Exercises like Tarang Shakti are part of HAL's soft-power export diplomacy; Egypt, Malaysia, and Argentina have shown interest in Tejas Mark 1A.

Challenges

• India's strategic autonomy doctrine means balancing participation in Western-oriented exercises without formal alliance commitments.
• Exercising with F-35 stealth aircraft requires India to adhere to strict US security protocols (ITAR — International Traffic in Arms Regulations) limiting intelligence sharing.
• The presence of French Rafales (same platform as India's) and French technicians near Indian Rafale units requires careful operational security management.

Government Initiatives

• Integrated Theatre Commands: MoD's ongoing restructuring towards theatre commands would consolidate air power under unified commands, transforming how exercises like Tarang Shakti are managed.
• Defence Exports Target: India's defence export target of ₹50,000 crore by 2028-29; Tarang Shakti showcases Indian platforms to potential buyers.
• iDEX / Make in India in Defence: HAL Tejas LCA participation in Tarang Shakti is a live demonstration of indigenous manufacturing capability.

Way Forward

The Shekatkar Committee (2016–17) on military reforms and the Kargil Review Committee (2000) had recommended joint service exercises and integrated theatre-level training. The DoD's Defence Cooperation Framework 2024 emphasises multilateral exercises as a primary tool for defence diplomacy. For Tarang Shakti to maximise strategic value:

• Expand the format to include naval and army components in future editions (Joint Services Air Exercise).
• Use the exercise to pilot Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) interoperability with partner nations.
• Create a standing framework for Tarang Shakti Partners that facilitates intelligence-sharing protocols and permanent liaison mechanisms.

Possible Mains Questions

1. "Exercise Tarang Shakti reflects India's strategic pivot from non-alignment to multi-alignment." Analyse India's defence diplomacy through the prism of its multilateral military exercises. (GS-III / GS-II)
2. How does France's Mission Pégase contribute to India-France strategic convergence? Discuss the bilateral defence relationship between India and France. (GS-II)

Possible Prelims MCQs

1. Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 was held at which Air Force Station?
   (a) Sulur (b) Jodhpur (c) Ambala (d) Hindon
   Answer: (b) Jodhpur
2. Mission Pégase is a long-range air projection exercise conducted by which country's air force?
   (a) USA (b) UK (c) France (d) Israel
   Answer: (c) France — Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace
3. Which indigenous aircraft did India deploy in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
   (a) AMCA (b) Tejas LCA (c) Rustom (d) AURA
   Answer: (b) Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft)

Essay Dimensions

1. Multi-alignment: India's strategic autonomy in a multipolar world
2. Air power and national security: the role of interoperability in modern warfare
3. India-France strategic partnership: a model for South-South security cooperation?
4. Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence: from weapons importer to arms exporter
5. The Quad, AUKUS, and India: navigating security architectures in the Indo-Pacific

FAQ

Q: What is Exercise Tarang Shakti?
Tarang Shakti is the Indian Air Force's flagship multinational air exercise, first held in 2024. It is India's largest-ever multinational air exercise, bringing together multiple foreign air forces at a single IAF venue for combined air combat training, improving interoperability and showcasing India's indigenous aerospace capabilities.

Q: What is Mission Pégase?
Mission Pégase is France's periodic long-range air power projection exercise, demonstrating the French Air and Space Force's ability to deploy air power globally at short notice. The 7th edition (2026) covers 40,000 km over the Arctic, Pacific, East Asia, and Indian Ocean, with stopovers including India (Jodhpur).

Q: What is India's Tejas LCA?
Tejas (LCA — Light Combat Aircraft) is an indigenously designed and manufactured single-engine multirole fighter aircraft built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It entered IAF service and represents India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in aerospace. India is marketing the Tejas Mark 1A for export.

Further Reading

• Indian Air Force: https://indianairforce.nic.in
• Ministry of Defence: https://mod.gov.in
• France-India Defence Partnership: https://india.ambafrance.org