Raksha Mantri addresses participants of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur; emphasises self‑reliance and international cooperation

WHAT IS THE NEWS? Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed participants of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 10 October 2026. The multinational air exercise (hosted by IAF from 26 September to 12 October 2026) included contingents from seven Friendly Foreign Countries (Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, UAE and the USA) and had 32 observer nations. The RM highlighted self‑reliance (Atmanirbharta), technological partnerships and interoperability. ([pib.gov.in]( KEY FACTS - Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: hosted by IAF (26 Sep–12 Oct 2026); participating FFCs include Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA; 32 observer nations attended. ([pib.gov.in]( - RM’s themes: modern warfare is multi‑domain (space, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum), emphasised speed of sensing/decision/action, and stated that future defence ties will be about technology and trust. ([pib.gov.in]( - Indigenous platforms showcased: LCA Tejas, LCH Prachand, and references to AMCA and other indigenous systems; RM advocated co‑development/co‑production and resilient supply chains. ([pib.gov.in]( - The exercise combined flying sorties with professional engagements, industrial visits and cultural interactions to deepen operational understanding and interoperability. ([pib.gov.in]( WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? - Defence diplomacy & interoperability: Multinational exercises build operational familiarity, trust and channels for cooperation, which are important for regional security, crisis management and coalition operations. - Strategic messaging: Emphasis on Atmanirbharta while engaging partners signals India’s approach to combine indigenous capability development with selective international cooperation (technology partnerships, co‑production), relevant to long‑term defence industrial policy. - Multi‑domain focus: RM’s statements reflect doctrinal and capability priorities (AI, unmanned systems, EW, cyber) that shape procurement, R&D and training priorities in the coming years. UPSC PRELIMS ANGLE - Key facts: name of exercise (Tarang Shakti 2026), host (IAF at Jodhpur), dates of the exercise window (26 Sep–12 Oct 2026), participating friendly foreign countries (list of seven) and number of observer nations (32). These concrete data points are useful for prelims current affairs questions. ([pib.gov.in]( UPSC MAINS ANGLE - International Relations & Strategic Studies: Use the exercise to discuss defence diplomacy, India’s strategic partnerships (practical cooperation vs strategic autonomy), and the role of military exercises in confidence building and interoperability. - Security & Technology Policy: Analyse the government’s Atmanirbharta (self‑reliance) push in defence—tradeoffs between indigenous development and foreign collaboration, implications for defence procurement, indigenous R&D (AMCA, aero‑engines) and defence industrial base. - Governance & Economics: Consider policy measures to build resilient defence supply chains, co‑production arrangements, offsets and industrial participation—topics relevant to economy and security interplay. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Tarang Shakti 2026 reinforces India’s dual approach: engaging foreign partners operationally while prioritising indigenous capability development. The exercise highlights multi‑domain modern warfare priorities and is a practical example of defence diplomacy and Atmanirbharta in action. ([pib.gov.in](