NEW DELHI, Sept. 22 -- The US Air Force is expected to deploy its F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft during Tarang Shakti, IAF's largest multilateral air combat exercise to be held in Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12, officials aware of the development said on Monday. This is the first time the F-35 stealth fighter is taking part in an exercise in the country, the officials said. To be sure, the aircraft took part in the Aero India show in Bengaluru in 2023 and 2025. Nine global air forces, including those of France, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have confirmed their participation in the exercise, while 30 countries will take part as observers. Other aircraft taking part in the air drills include F-16s, F-18s, Rafales and A400 military transport aircraft. All major IAF assets, including fighter jets such as Sukhoi-30s, Mirage-2000s, and the Tejas light combat aircraft, along with transport aircraft, helicopters, special operations planes, mid-air refuellers and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, will participate in the exercise. "Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 returns as India's premier multinational air exercise, bringing global Air Forces together for high-octane joint tactical maneuvers," IAF wrote on X on Monday. Tarang Shakti 2026 will be held in one phase, in contrast to the maiden edition of the exercise held in 2024 in two legs-at the Sulur and Jodhpur airbases. The 2024 edition of the drills involved around 80 Indian and foreign aircraft. The exercise's mission profile included beyond-visual-range combat missions, large force engagements, air mobility operations, dynamic targeting, low-light operations, and high-value aerial asset protection. The first phase involved 205 sorties by different types of aircraft, while more than 800 sorties were clocked in the second and final phase. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) may have delivered the first batch of HTT-40 basic trainers to the Indian Air Force, but a steady supply of engines from US firm Honeywell remains critical to keeping the Rs.6,838-crore programme on schedule, officials said. The state-owned aerospace firm hopes Honeywell will resolve supply-chain bottlenecks and stabilise deliveries of TPE331-12B turboprop engines from next year, they added. The IAF had ordered 70 basic trainers three years ago to train rookie pilots. HAL was to deliver 12 aircraft in 2025-26 but failed to deliver any due to the engine shortage. Honeywell began supplying engines a few months ago and has assured HAL of timely deliveries. "There is an engine-related issue as Honeywell has tier-1 and tier-2 supply chain issues. The firm has promised us six engines by December. It is looking for alternative sources (to overcome supply chain bottlenecks)," HAL chairman and managing director Ravi K said....