U.S. F-35 Stealth Fighters to Train With Indian Air Force in India for First Time During Major Exercise

U.S. Air Force F-35A fighters are expected to train with the Indian Air Force in India for the first time during the multinational Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise at Jodhpur. The event begins September 26 and is planned to bring the stealth aircraft into tactical scenarios with Indian Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas fighters, including combined and opposing-force activity. The deployment provides experience in procedures and interoperability between dissimilar combat aircraft, but participation in the exercise does not indicate any future Indian decision to purchase the F-35.