The Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force have concluded Veer Guardian 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur after 14 days of intensive bilateral training. The exercise ended on September 22 and focused on improving interoperability, operational coordination and professional cooperation between the two air forces. India deployed Su-30MKI, Rafale and indigenous LCA Tejas fighters, while Japan participated with Mitsubishi F-2A multirole aircraft. The two sides conducted advanced missions including within-visual-range combat and coordinated multi-aircraft operations that required detailed planning, communication and tactical execution. These activities enabled aircrew and mission planners to gain a better understanding of each other’s procedures, tactics and operational approaches. Distinguished Visitor’s Day was attended by JASDF Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh. Both air chiefs flew the indigenous Tejas fighter, highlighting the aircraft’s growing role within India’s combat aviation capabilities. Veer Guardian also included extensive ground-based engagements. Subject Matter Expert exchanges covered operational concepts, tactical employment, maintenance procedures and technical practices. Mission-planning conferences addressed contemporary air warfare and joint mission execution, while engineering interactions focused on aircraft support systems, maintenance methodologies and sustainment. Ground crews exchanged information about aircraft readiness and support requirements, while aerospace safety briefings addressed flight safety, risk management and operational protocols. The 2026 event was the second edition of Veer Guardian. The inaugural exercise took place at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan in January 2023 and was the first fighter aircraft exercise between the IAF and JASDF. The latest edition was also notable for bringing Japanese F-2A fighters to India for operational training. India’s combination of Tejas, Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft provided Japan with an opportunity for dissimilar air combat training against several fighter types. The exercise forms part of wider India-Japan cooperation in defence, maritime security, technology and regional security and complements Army exercise Dharma Guardian and naval exercise JIMEX.
