French Rafales, MRTT, A400M arrive in Jodhpur for Tarang Shakti

A French Air and Space Force Rafale fighter jet refuels a French military aircraft, an A330 MRTT Phénix tanker, over Alaska. File. | Photo credit: AP

As part of the Pégase 26 mission, the French Air and Space Forces deployed four Rafale F4 fighter jets, three A330 MRTT Phénix multi-purpose refueling transport aircraft and two A400M Atlas aircraft to Jodhpur for the second annual Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise.

The French contingent, which arrived in Jodhpur on Friday, will take part in the Tarang Shakti air combat exercise organized by the Indian Air Force from September 28 to October 12.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening operational cooperation and interoperability between the participating air forces.

The Pégase 26 mission, the seventh edition of France’s long-range aerial projection exercise, takes place from September 8 to October 15.

The mission includes approximately 300 personnel and covers a 40,000km route with nine stopovers, starting in the Arctic and extending across the Pacific, East Asia and the Indian Ocean to the Near and Middle East.

French Air Cooperation

The French embassy in Delhi said the mission was to demonstrate the French Air and Space Force’s ability to rapidly project long-range air power around the world to defend France’s overseas territories and strategic interests.

The deployment is also aimed at strengthening France’s air cooperation with strategic partners, including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India, while strengthening its network of air support bases.

France participated in the first edition of Tarang Shakti in 2024. Its return to the exercise comes amid expanding defense cooperation between New Delhi and Paris, including regular bilateral exercises such as Varuna, Garuda and Shakti.

Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif, deputy chief of the French Air and Space Forces, and Major General Julien Sabéné, head of the Pegasus mission, are to visit India and hold talks with the Indian Armed Forces authorities.

French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou said France considers India a “major strategic defense partner” and that participation in bilateral and multinational military exercises will contribute to greater operational coordination and interoperability.

France, which describes itself as the resident power in the Indo-Pacific, said its participation in the Tarang Shakti also reflects its commitment to regional and global security, international law and freedom of navigation in the region.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 22:08 IST