US Air Force F-35's First Participation in 2026 Talon Shakti: Japan's F-2 Deployment Demonstrates Indo-Pacific Cooperative Operations
Tanaka TakashiUS Air Force F-35 to Participate for the First Time in 2026 Talon Shakti, Japan's F-2 Deployment Demonstrates Indo-Pacific Cooperative Operations
The multinational air exercise Talon Shakti, starting on September 26 at the Jodhpur Air Force Base in Rajasthan, India, will see the US Air Force's F-35 participate for the first time. Eight countries are expected to deploy aircraft, with 32 countries joining as observers. The focus is not on showcasing the performance of stealth aircraft. Instead, it is about how different air forces actually operate a network that includes low-detectability platforms.
What the F-35 Participation Means
The Indian Air Force will deploy Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Tejas, and Mirage 2000s, while France will send Rafales and the United Arab Emirates will deploy F-16s. Since India does not yet have fifth-generation fighters, training with the F-35 will provide an opportunity to experience sensor information sharing, task allocation among different aircraft, and management of detectability against enemy radar. This is not just an air show, especially as China increases its fifth-generation fleet, including the J-20.
Japan's F-2 Deployment and US-Japan Cooperation
Prior to this exercise, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducted bilateral training with India from September 9 to 22, marking the first deployment of the F-2A to the country. Air Staff Chief General Takehiro Morita stated that cooperation has progressed from the stage of "exercising together" to honing practical tactical capabilities. The F-2 is not a stealth aircraft like the F-35, but it serves as a platform to showcase Japan's air operations, maintenance, and inter-base coordination, including anti-ship attacks, to India.
There is another value in the US-Japan alliance here. Japan can not only operate the US F-35 directly but also bring back procedures learned from training with India, Australia, and France for joint responses with the US. In air defense and anti-ship operations in the southwestern islands, the outcome is determined more by who acquires target information and how quickly it is passed to which unit, rather than by aircraft performance. The ability for participating countries to verify the effectiveness of a sensor network centered around the F-35 in the same airspace is significant.
Discrepancy Between Capability and Intent
However, India's participation does not imply an alliance with Japan or the US. India possesses a large number of Russian-made equipment and maintains strategic autonomy in its diplomacy. The interoperability gained from the exercise does not automatically translate into joint operations in a crisis. Additionally, Jodhpur is located about 200 kilometers from the Pakistan border, and the exercise also serves to validate lessons learned from the May India-Pakistan conflict. India's intentions are not solely focused on China.
Nonetheless, the order of events this time is noteworthy. Japan's F-2, the US's F-35, and India's main aircraft trained in the same operational area in a short period. This is an attempt to connect US-Japan cooperation to a broader air network in the Indo-Pacific, outside the first island chain. In my view, the greatest risk is not the number of Chinese aircraft but the information security regulations of each participating country delaying practical data sharing. The results of the exercise should be measured not by the number of flights but by the reasons for the information that could not be shared.
Reference Information
The U.S. Air Force's F-35 will participate in the Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise starting on September 26, 2026, at Jodhpur, India, alongside India's F-2A and other aircraft from eight nations. This exercise aims to improve operational interoperability and tactical capabilities among the participating air forces, amidst growing regional tensions with China. Japan's deployment of the F-2A marks a significant step in bilateral military cooperation with India.
- U.S. Air Force F-35 to participate in Tarang Shakti exercise for the first time.
- Japan's F-2A deployed for bilateral training with India prior to the exercise.
- The exercise involves 8 countries with 32 observers, focusing on operational interoperability.
- India's participation does not signify a formal alliance with the U.S. and Japan.
- The exercise aims to enhance tactical capabilities and data sharing among participating nations.