NEW DELHI, Sept. 26 -- More than 80 Indian and foreign aircraft, including fighters ranging from the F-35 to the locally produced Tejas light combat aircraft, will participate in Tarang Shakti, the Indian Air Force's largest multilateral air combat exercise that begins in Jodhpur on Saturday, officials aware of the matter said on the eve of the two-week-long air drills. The exercise will involve around 1,500 personnel, including air crews, technicians and ground staff, the officials said on Friday. Eight air forces are participating with their air assets, including the US, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The 32 observers include Brazil, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. French ambassador to India Thierry Mathou said, "Exercises such as Tarang Shakti pave the way for greater Indo-French operational coordination and military interoperability. France's involvement in this exercise illustrates our shared commitment to ensuring regional and global security and upholding international law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, in which France is a resident power." The French Air and Space Force is conducting its seventh long-range air projection exercise, Mission Pegase, from September 8 to October 2026, a French statement said. Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif, Vice Chief of the French Air and Space Force, and Head of Mission Pegase Major General Julien Sabene will also hold discussions with Indian armed forces authorities, the statement said. The foreign aircraft taking part in the drills include F-35s, F-16s, Rafales, A400Ms, A330 and multi-role tanker transport....