US F-35s land in India for historic joint air exercise, testing stealth tech in new theater

For the first time, American F-35 stealth fighters have operated from Indian soil as part of Tarang Shakti 2026, a major multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. Six F-35A jets from the 13th Fighter Squadron based in Japan deployed to Jodhpur in Rajasthan with over 200 personnel and aerial refueling support, joining forces from seven countries including France, the UAE, Australia, and Germany.

This deployment marks a significant strategic milestone, bringing fifth-generation combat aircraft to an Indian airbase for the IAF's largest multinational exercise. Indian pilots gained valuable experience flying alongside and against genuine stealth technology, while US crews learned new tactics from diverse international partners. The exercise represents growing defense cooperation between the US and India at a time of shifting regional security dynamics, providing real-world training that goes beyond symbolic displays.