German A400M Military Aircraft Joins Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur

Against the expansive, sunlit landscape of Rajasthan, the skies above Jodhpur Air Force Station have become a hub of multinational aerial activity as the German Air Force takes part in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026. A key highlight of Germany's participation is the deployment of the Airbus A400M, a versatile military transport aircraft designed for both strategic and tactical missions.

German Air Force Captain Maurice Berns, a First Officer on the A400M, described the exercise as a valuable professional experience. He said the drills have provided German transport-aircraft crews with an opportunity to learn from the Indian Air Force and gain experience operating alongside Indian personnel. According to Berns, this year's exercise is larger in scope than the previous edition. Germany is participating with the A400M in large-force engagements, allowing the transport aircraft to operate as part of complex missions involving fighter aircraft.

Berns highlighted the A400M's importance to the German Air Force, describing it as a central component of its transport fleet. The aircraft can undertake a wide range of missions, including heavy cargo transportation, tactical operations and logistical support. He also emphasised the operational lessons gained from flying in India. The German contingent has gained insights into the Indian Air Force's mission planning and methods of conducting large-scale air exercises. Such interactions, he said, are helping strengthen interoperability between Indian and German air and transport crews.

Germany's participation is part of a much broader international presence at Tarang Shakti 2026. The Jodhpur skies have also witnessed US Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters conducting joint training missions with the Indian Air Force and other participating contingents. The F-35As taking part in the exercise belong to the US Air Force's 13th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa Air Base in Japan. Their participation during the operational phase adds a fifth-generation fighter capability to an exercise that brings together a diverse mix of combat, transport and aerial-refuelling platforms.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the operational phase of Tarang Shakti 2026 began at Air Force Station Jodhpur following the exercise's inaugural ceremony. Seven Friendly Foreign Countries — Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — are participating in the multinational drill.

The foreign aircraft involved include the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, C-130, C-130J and Australia's KC-30A. The exercise goes beyond combat flying. It gives aircrew, mission planners and support personnel from participating nations an opportunity to work together, exchange professional experience and develop a better understanding of each other's operational methods.

Interoperability remains one of the central objectives of the exercise. Training alongside different air forces allows participating crews to familiarise themselves with varied procedures, communication practices and operational philosophies while also improving coordination during complex missions. Tarang Shakti 2026 builds on the first edition of the exercise, which was conducted in 2024. The latest edition brings together frontline aircraft and support assets for a broad range of missions, while other Friendly Foreign Countries are also participating as observers.

The exercise has also incorporated activities beyond flying operations, including professional seminars, industrial visits, the Sekhon Marathon, heritage tours and yoga programmes. These initiatives are intended to encourage interaction and strengthen relationships among the participating contingents. The US Air Force has separately released visuals showing personnel from the 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit carrying out routine maintenance on an F-35A assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Jodhpur Air Force Station.

For the Indian Air Force, the exercise provides an important platform to demonstrate its operational preparedness and professional capabilities while gaining practical experience from partner air forces. The multinational engagement also showcases India's expanding aerospace and defence ecosystem and its role in promoting greater cooperation for regional peace and security.

With aircraft ranging from advanced stealth fighters to heavy military transports operating together, Tarang Shakti 2026 highlights how modern air operations increasingly depend not only on individual platforms but also on coordination, logistics, interoperability and the ability to operate effectively with international partners.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.