Jodhpur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday emphasised the importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing, technological innovation and international cooperation while addressing participants of the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
Hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) from September 26 to October 12, the multinational exercise brought together air forces from seven countries — Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States — along with 32 observer nations.
Singh said modern warfare was expanding beyond land, sea and air to include space, cyberspace, the electromagnetic spectrum and information operations. He highlighted the growing role of drones, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and long-range precision weapons.
“Future military power will be defined less by the number of platforms we possess. It will be determined by the speed of sensing, understanding, deciding, and acting,” he said, stressing the importance of speed, precision, information and integration.
The minister said India had adopted self-reliance in defence as a national priority to strengthen its resilience against emerging security challenges. He clarified that Atmanirbharta did not mean isolation but developing domestic capabilities to design, manufacture, maintain and upgrade critical defence technologies.
Highlighting indigenous programmes such as the Tejas fighter aircraft, Dhruv and Prachand helicopters, the Akash air defence system and advanced radar technologies, Singh also underlined the importance of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme and indigenous aero-engine development.
He said India was keen to expand cooperation with like-minded countries in research, co-development, co-production, maintenance, training and innovation.
“The defence relationships of the future will be about technology and trust, not just about platforms,” Singh said, emphasising the need for reliable partnerships and resilient supply chains.
Describing the significance of Tarang Shakti, he said, “Different nations. Different aircraft. Different experiences. But one sky. That is the message of Tarang Shakti.”
The exercise provides participating air forces an opportunity to exchange operational knowledge, practise joint mission planning and improve interoperability. The participation of indigenous platforms, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, also highlights India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The event builds on the inaugural edition held in 2024 and reinforces India’s efforts to deepen defence engagement with partner nations.
Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and other defence officials and international delegates attended the event.
