Rafale Vs F-35: India Tests Operation Sindoor Lessons In High-Stakes Air Combat Drills - Times of India Videos
India is turning Operation Sindoor into a live classroom. Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 will bring the American F-35, UAE F-16s, French Rafales and Indian Rafales, Su-30MKIs and Tejas into a complex multinational air environment at Jodhpur. This is not just an air show. It is a test of doctrine, sensors, networks, air defence, electronic warfare and interoperability. The F-35 will exercise with Indian fighters on Indian soil for the first time. The UAE’s advanced F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcons also matter because Pakistan operates F-16s. The IAF wants to test lessons from Operation Sindoor, including intelligence-led operations, precision strikes, counter-drones and integrated air and missile defence. Japan’s air chief has also flown in a Tejas during Veer Guardian. Watch this India-first analysis of Tarang Shakti, India’s air war gaps, Tejas’ export potential and how the next conflict could be shorter, sharper and decided faster, especially for India’s future in defence exports.