India Indigenous Defence Manufacturing: India is using the upcoming Tarang Shakti 2026 air exercise to show foreign military leaders what its defence industry can now build at home. The Indian Air Force’s second edition of the multinational exercise will take place at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12, 2026. Around 40 countries are expected to take part either with aircraft or as observers.
The exercise will also give India a chance to display its aerospace and defence products directly to foreign air force officials. The focus will not only be on fighter jets. Indian companies will also get attention for sensors, weapons, unmanned systems and other defence technologies.
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Foreign Air Force Officials To Visit Major Indian Defence Hubs
As part of the visit programme, foreign delegates will get a close look at some of India’s biggest defence production centres.
Officials are scheduled to visit Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru on September 29. The trip will then move to Vadodara on October 3, where delegates are expected to see the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft production line.
The visits are linked with India’s wider effort to increase defence exports and attract more interest in locally made military equipment. India’s defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, while defence exports rose to ₹38,424 crore, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Tarang Shakti Brings F-35s, Rafales And Tejas Together
The 2026 exercise has attracted wide international interest. India sent invitations to 65 countries. Eight countries are taking part with air assets, while 32 nations are attending as observers. The aircraft-participating countries include the US, France, Germany, Australia, UAE, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Greece.
One of the biggest attractions will be the arrival of US F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters. It will be the first time the F-35 takes part in a joint exercise in India. French Rafales, UAE F-16s and Indian aircraft such as Tejas and Su-30MKI will also be part of the exercise.
IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said “Tarang Shakti provides an opportunity for our partners to see the growing capabilities of the Indian aerospace and defence industry—our indigenous platforms, sensors, weapons, unmanned systems and technologies. For us, Atmanirbharta and international cooperation are not contradictory. They complement each other. The stronger our indigenous capability, the more meaningful our engagement with the world becomes,”.
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India has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30. The government has also changed export rules to make it easier for Indian companies to reach foreign markets. Recent reforms to the Open General Export Licence (OGEL) are meant to reduce paperwork and speed up approved exports.
In July India also signed important defence agreements with Indonesia involving BrahMos cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles. Indonesia became the third country to buy BrahMos after the Philippines and Vietnam, while the Astra agreement opened a new international market for the Indian missile.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also unveiled RAKSHA, a 10-year defence diplomacy roadmap, on September 3, 2026. It focuses on strategic partnerships, military capacity building, indigenous exports and maritime security.
