New Delhi, 25 September 2026. The French Air and Space Force is currently conducting its seventh long-range air projection exercise, Mission Pégase, from September 8 to October 15, with the aim of demonstrating the core capabilities of the force—rapidly project long-range air power anywhere in the world and defend France’s overseas territories or strategic interests. During this mission, the force will also take part in the high-intensity multinational air combat exercise, Tarang Shakti, hosted by the Indian Air Force in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Initiated in 2018, the seventh edition of Mission Pégase is deploying a 300-strong aircrew and four Rafale F4s, three A330 MRTT Phénix aircraft and two A400M Atlas aircraft. Starting from the Arctic, the mission will cover a unique route of 40,000 kilometres with nine stopovers, flying to the near and Middle East, via the Pacific, East Asia and the Indian Ocean.

While developing international aerospace cooperation through its strategic partnerships with Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India, France will consolidate its air force’s support bases and reaffirm its commitment to contributing to freedom of access to shared airspace and collective security.

In India, following its maiden participation in 2024, the deployment will participate again in exercise Tarang Shakti from September 28 to October 12 to further enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the French and Indian air forces. Vice chief of the French Air and Space Force, Lt. Gen. Dominique Tardif and Head of Mission Pégase Maj. Gen. Julien Sabéné will visit India to hold discussions with Indian armed forces.

Looking forward to France’s participation in exercise Tarang Shakti, Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou remarked: “India is a core strategic defence partner of France. Regular participation in bilateral military exercises with India such as Varuna at sea, Garuda in the air and Shakti on land, as well as multinational 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.”

PEGASE 26 embodies France’s ability to maintain a decisive military presence across a vast strategic arc and serves as an instrument for France’s political and diplomatic action in an uncertain and volatile geopolitical environment.