Jodhpur, Sep 23. The 2026 edition of the bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on September 22, marking another step towards enhancing operational interoperability and deepening defence cooperation between India and Japan.
The 14-day exercise, which began earlier this month, involved the participation of IAF Su-30MKI, Rafale and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighters, while the JASDF deployed its F-2A fighter aircraft.
The exercise featured a range of advanced air-combat training missions, including within-visual-range combat and coordinated multi-aircraft operations. The drills provided the two air forces an opportunity to train together in complex operational scenarios and gain greater familiarity with each other’s tactics and procedures.
A key highlight of the exercise was the participation of the chiefs of the two air forces. General Takehiro Morita, Chief of Staff of the JASDF, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, visited Air Force Station Jodhpur on the Distinguished Visitors’ Day and flew together in the indigenously developed Tejas fighter aircraft.
Besides flying operations, Veer Guardian 2026 included extensive professional exchanges between personnel of the two air forces. These covered subject-matter expert interactions, operational discussions, mission-planning conferences, engineering exchanges, maintenance practices and aerospace safety briefings.
The interactions enabled the participating contingents to exchange operational experience and gain insights into each other’s procedures, capabilities and best practices.
The Ministry of Defence said the exercise underscored the enduring friendship and professional camaraderie between the IAF and JASDF. It also highlighted the growing scope for closer operational cooperation and greater strategic depth in the India-Japan defence partnership.
Regular bilateral air exercises such as Veer Guardian have emerged as an important component of the broader defence engagement between the two countries, providing the two air forces with opportunities to enhance interoperability while strengthening mutual understanding and professional ties.
