US F-35s Deploy to India for First Time in Exercise Tarang Shakti
Six U.S. Air Force F-35A fighters and over 200 Airmen deployed to Jodhpur Air Force Station, India, on September 26 for their first participation in a large-scale exercise on Indian soil. Exercise Tarang Shakti, India's largest multinational aerial training event, runs from September 26 to October 12, with eight countries contributing aircraft. The deployment marks a milestone in U.S.-India defense cooperation.
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US F-35s Deploy to India for First Time to Join Exercise Tarang Shakti
Six U.S. Air Force F-35A fighters and over 200 Airmen deployed to India on September 26 for their first participation in a large-scale exercise on Indian soil. The aircraft, from the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, arrived at Jodhpur Air Force Station for Exercise Tarang Shakti, which runs from September 26 to October 12. The exercise is India's largest multinational aerial training event, with eight countries contributing aircraft. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Pacific Air Forces confirmed the arrival. This marks the first time the USAF has deployed F-35s for an exercise in India, though the aircraft was previously displayed at the Aero India air show. The deployment builds on growing U.S.-India air force cooperation, which has included B-1 bomber participation in previous exercises. The article also notes that former President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might eventually sell F-35s to India, but little has been said on that topic since. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to build ties with Russia and China, meeting with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit.
US F-35s Deploy to India for First Time in Large-Scale Exercise Tarang Shakti
Six U.S. Air Force F-35A fighters and over 200 Airmen deployed to India on September 26 for their first participation in a large-scale exercise on Indian soil. The aircraft, from the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, arrived at Jodhpur Air Force Station for Exercise Tarang Shakti, which runs from September 26 to October 12. The exercise is India's largest multinational aerial training event, with eight countries contributing aircraft. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed the arrival and released images. This marks the first time the USAF has deployed F-35s for an exercise in India, though the aircraft was previously displayed at Aero India. The U.S. and Indian air forces have increased interaction in recent years, including B-1 bomber participation in Cope India 2023. Former President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might eventually sell F-35s to India, but little has been said since. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also worked to build ties with Russia and China, meeting with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit.
US F-35 fighters to debut in Indian multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti
The U.S. Air Force's F-35 stealth fighter jets will participate in the multinational air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' hosted by India at Jodhpur air base, marking the first time a fifth-generation fighter joins Indian air drills. The exercise, starting September 25 and concluding October 12, involves eight participating countries and 32 observers. India will deploy Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Tejas, and Mirage 2000 fighters, while France brings Rafale jets and the UAE brings F-16s. Indian Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated the drills aim to discover what still needs to be learned and improve interoperability. The F-35 participation signals steady U.S.-India defense ties despite trade disputes and India's Russian oil purchases. The exercise follows India's bilateral drills with Japan, seen as a signal of growing defense ties amid China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Dixit also noted the air force wants to test lessons from India's brief conflict with Pakistan in May 2025.
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US F-35 stealth fighters to debut in Indian multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti
The U.S. Air Force will deploy F-35 fighter jets for the first time in a multinational air exercise hosted by India, named Tarang Shakti, beginning September 25 at Jodhpur air base in Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border. Eight countries are participating, with 32 more as observers. India, which lacks a fifth-generation fighter, will field Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Tejas, and Mirage 2000s. France brings Rafales and the UAE brings F-16s. The exercise provides the Indian Air Force direct exposure to operating alongside advanced stealth aircraft amid China's rapid expansion of its fifth-generation fleet. Indian Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated the drills aim to discover what still needs to be learned and improve interoperability. The participation underscores steady U.S.-India defense ties despite trade disputes and India's Russian oil purchases. The drills follow bilateral exercises with Japan and will conclude on October 12.
US F-35 fighters debut in Indian multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti
The US Air Force's F-35 fighter jets are participating in the multinational air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' hosted by India at Jodhpur air base, marking the first time a fifth-generation fighter has joined Indian air drills. The exercise, starting September 25 and concluding October 12, involves eight countries including France and the UAE, with 32 more as observers. India, which lacks a fifth-generation fighter, will deploy Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Tejas, and Mirage 2000s. Indian Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated the drills aim to discover what still needs to be learned and improve interoperability. The F-35's participation signals steady US-India defense ties despite trade disputes and India's Russian oil purchases. The exercise also allows India to test lessons from its brief conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. This follows bilateral air exercises with Japan, where Tokyo deployed Mitsubishi F-2A fighters in India for the first time, seen as a signal of growing defense ties amid China's assertiveness.