The F-35 is coming to India but this time, it’s not for an air show.

The US Air Force is expected to deploy its 2 to 3 F-35 Lightning II for Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 26 September to 12 October.
And there is a major distinction:

This would be the F-35’s first participation in a military exercise on Indian soil.

The aircraft has previously visited India for Aero India, but Tarang Shakti would bring it into an actual operational training environment.

The F-35 is expected to train alongside aircraft such as the Indian Air Force’s Rafale and Su-30MKI, while France is expected to field Rafales and the UAE its F-16s.  

For aviation enthusiasts, the biggest question will be:

How will the F-35’s low-observable design, sensors and network-centric capabilities interact with India’s Rafale, Su-30MKI, AEW&C and air-refuelling platforms in a multinational exercise?