NEW DELHI, Aug. 25 -- The Indian Air Force is set to host the second edition of Tarang Shakti, its largest multilateral air combat exercise, from September 26 to October 10 at the Jodhpur airbase, officials aware of the development said on Monday. Eight global air forces, including those of the US, France and the United Arab Emirates, have confirmed their participation in the exercise, while 30 countries will take part as observers, the officials said, asking not to be named. Tarang Shakti 2026 will be held in one phase, in contrast to the first edition of the exercise held in 2024 in two legs -at the Sulur and Jodhpur airbases. All major assets of the IAF, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, special operations planes, mid-air refuellers and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, will take part in the exercise, the officials said. 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.HTC...