Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) have commenced the 14-day bilateral air combat exercise ‘Veer Guardian-2026’ at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
About Exercise Veer Guardian-2026:
What it is?
- A high-tempo bilateral fighter-combat exercise conducted between the air forces of India and Japan to develop tactical air-combat interoperability, fine-tune joint aerial operational concepts, and enhance mutual defense cooperation.
Host & Venue: Hosted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Nations Involved: India (Indian Air Force) and Japan (Japan Air Self Defence Force).
Aim: To enhance India-Japan air force interoperability through joint combat training, mission planning and aerospace safety cooperation.
Key Features:
- First-Ever Japanese Fighter Deployment to India: Marks the first time JASDF fighter aircraft have touched down and operated from an Indian air base for bilateral combat drills.
- Diverse Frontline Fleet Integration: Deploys a multi-type fleet from the IAF—comprising indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, multirole Su-30MKI, and Dassault Rafale jets—training directly alongside Japan’s F-2A multirole fighters.
- Tactical Exposure to F-16 Kinship: Because Japan’s F-2A shares its core airframe lineage with the American F-16 Falcon, the drills afford the IAF critical tactical experience countering and integrating with an F-16-derivative platform.
- Comprehensive Ground & Aerospace Interactions: Integrates advanced air combat simulations with engineering roundtables, joint debriefs, subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs), and aerospace maintenance protocols.
Significance:
- Strengthens Quad Security: India-Japan air exercises improve defence interoperability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
- Expands Japan’s Operational Reach: Gives the JASDF experience in long-distance deployments and diverse flying conditions alongside Indian aircraft.
