French Air Force Team Arrives at IAF Base for India's Major Tarang Shakti 2026 Exercise

The French Air and Space Force has arrived at the Indian Air Force station in Jodhpur to take part in Tarang Shakti 2026, one of India’s major multinational air exercises. France’s participation reflects the strategic importance Paris attaches to its defence partnership with India. The French contingent travelled to India as part of the Pegase deployment, bringing four Rafale fighter aircraft directly from Indonesia. Three more Rafale jets are expected to join the deployment, taking the French contingent to seven aircraft.

The French Rafales will conduct training missions alongside Indian Air Force fighters, with the exercise focusing on complex aerial manoeuvres, operational coordination and the exchange of combat experience. French officials said the deployment demonstrates France’s commitment to strengthening practical cooperation with India.

The defence relationship between the two countries has a history stretching back more than seven decades. India became the first foreign customer for French aircraft when it acquired the Ouragan, known in India as the Toofani, in 1952. The partnership has since expanded significantly, with the Rafale becoming an important component of both countries’ air power.

For French pilots, Tarang Shakti also provides an opportunity to train with Indian aviators who have previously participated in the Garuda series of exercises in France. Operating the same fighter platform allows both sides to exchange operational knowledge, improve coordination and share lessons on tactics, maintenance and mission planning.

France is participating in the large-scale Indian air exercise for the second time. Officials described the event as an important opportunity to demonstrate France’s ability to operate alongside a major strategic partner across demanding air-combat scenarios. Questions surrounding India’s possible acquisition of additional fighter aircraft were also discussed. French officials stressed that procurement decisions ultimately rest with India as a sovereign country and that New Delhi is free to engage with defence partners of its choice.

While the French Air and Space Force operates the Rafale, the aircraft is manufactured by Dassault Aviation. The fighter entered French military service in 2005, giving French crews considerable experience in operating and maintaining the platform. French personnel said they were keen to share some of that operational knowledge with their Indian counterparts.

Tarang Shakti also provides a wider interoperability challenge because the Indian Air Force operates several different fighter platforms. Training together allows participating forces to practise coordination in scenarios involving different aircraft, tactics and operational requirements. French officials described the Rafale as the most advanced weapon system in their military inventory and pointed to its operational experience in combat missions. They also highlighted the changing international security environment, arguing that modern air forces must remain prepared to operate in different regions and under rapidly changing circumstances.

The Pegase mission is part of France’s wider engagement in the Indo-Pacific. By deploying aircraft over long distances and training with partner nations, France seeks to strengthen its ability to conduct combined operations when required. The exercise also underlines the importance of factors beyond advanced fighter aircraft. French representatives stressed that regular training, tactical development, maintenance expertise and close cooperation between pilots remain essential elements of modern air combat capability.

The defence relationship extends beyond military exercises. Dassault Aviation has expanded its industrial engagement in India through partnerships and manufacturing initiatives connected with the country’s Make in India drive. India’s expanding defence-modernisation programme has also created opportunities for international companies and domestic defence manufacturers to cooperate on advanced technologies.

Indian defence start-ups are increasingly contributing to the sector as well, particularly in areas such as drones, autonomous systems and aviation technology. These developments are creating an increasingly broad ecosystem around India’s defence industry. For France and India, recurring air exercises such as Tarang Shakti provide an opportunity to keep operational procedures aligned as military technology and aerial warfare tactics continue to evolve. While discussions about future cooperation and next-generation combat aircraft remain part of the broader relationship, the immediate focus during the exercise is on operational readiness, interoperability and strengthening the experience of personnel from both air forces.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.