Jodhpur: Bolstering strategic and operational convergence across the Indo-Pacific skies, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, commenced the second edition of their bilateral air exercise, 'Veer Guardian-2026', at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Scheduled to continue through September 22, the 14-day joint operational exercise marks a significant milestone in India-Japan defense diplomacy, bringing frontline fighter pilots, mission controllers, and maintenance engineers into simulated high-intensity contested aerial battles. For official defense cooperation releases and joint training bulletins, visit the Ministry of Defence Official Portal.

Frontline Combat Fleet: Tejas, Rafale, and F-2A in Action

The operational drills at Jodhpur showcase an advanced matrix of multirole combat aircraft from both air forces:

Also Read: India-US Trade Deal Almost Done, Says Piyush Goyal
  • Indian Air Force Lineup: The IAF is participating with a frontline fleet comprising the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the long-range air-superiority Su-30MKI, and the omnirole Dassault Rafale, integrating dissimilar air combat tactics across dynamic desert terrain.
  • JASDF Contingent: The Japanese air arm has deployed its premier Mitsubishi F-2A multirole fighter aircraft from the 8th Air Wing (Tsuiki Air Base), supported by Kawasaki C-2 strategic transport aircraft that transported over 110 personnel and support equipment to Jodhpur.
  • Complex Air Combat Maneuvering: The exercise regimen encompasses beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements, air combat maneuvering (ACM), coordinated defensive counter-air missions, and complex offensive strikes against simulated integrated air defense systems.

Strategic Context and Growing Bilateral Convergence

The inaugural edition of Exercise Veer Guardian was held at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan in January 2023. Hosting the second edition on Indian soil reflects the deepening 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' between New Delhi and Tokyo following recent bilateral ministerial reviews:

  • Interoperability and Joint Planning: The 14-day engagement integrates joint mission-planning conferences, aerospace safety seminars, and subject-matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) covering engineering, avionics maintenance, and real-time tactical data sharing.
  • Indo-Pacific Security Architecture: Beyond tactical proficiency, the drills underscore shared commitments toward maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific regional security architecture amidst prevailing geopolitical volatility.
  • Leadership Oversight: Senior military leadership, including visits from top air staff officials, will review the execution phase to evaluate collaborative operational doctrines and future trilateral interoperability matrices.