Japanese F-2 fighters fly alongside Tejas, Rafale in India-Japan drill

Japanese fighter aircraft have operated from Indian soil for the first time as part of the bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian-2026, marking a new step in defence cooperation between India and Japan.

The 14-day exercise is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from September 9 to 22, bringing together frontline aircraft from the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force for advanced operational missions, professional exchanges and discussions on mission planning, engineering and aerospace safety.

The IAF is participating with its Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale, while the JASDF has deployed its F-2A fighter aircraft.

The Japanese fighters were ferried from Tsuiki Air Base in Japan to Jodhpur for the exercise, marking the first time JASDF fighter aircraft have operated from Indian soil during a bilateral exercise.

'A GREAT MILESTONE' FOR INDIA-JAPAN PARTNERSHIP

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh described the deployment as a major milestone in the relationship between the two countries.

"This exercise, especially because the Japanese fighters are operating from Indian soil for the first time, is a great milestone in our history of our relationship and our partnership," he said during a joint press interaction.

Singh said joint exercises allow the two air forces to learn from each other, train together and improve their operational capabilities.

"When we do exercises together, we learn from each other. We fly together. We train together. So both sides improve together," he said.

He added that such exercises give the two sides an opportunity to understand each other's operational practices and improve their capabilities.

Singh described the India-Japan air partnership as one built on "mutual respect, professional trust, and shared commitment to peace and stability".

He also said India and Japan share a vision of a "free, open and rule based Indo-Pacific".

JAPAN AIR CHIEF FLIES IN TEJAS

The exercise also saw an unusual interaction between the senior leadership of the two air forces.

On September 20, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and General Takehiro Morita, Chief of Staff of the JASDF, participated in a Tejas formation sortie at Air Force Station Jodhpur.

Singh flew in a fighter aircraft and led the formation, while Morita flew in a trainer aircraft with Group Captain I Samrat, Commanding Officer of the Tejas squadron, as the captain.

The formation flew over the airfield before carrying out a peel-off manoeuvre for landing.

The sortie gave Morita an opportunity to experience the Tejas and its systems. The participation of both air chiefs also provided an opportunity for professional interaction between the senior leadership of the two air forces.

Morita described his flight as a "truly valuable experience" and a "powerful symbol of trust, confidence, and friendship".

'PARTNERSHIP HAS PROGRESSED BEYOND EXERCISES'

Morita said the cooperation between the two air forces had moved beyond simply conducting joint exercises.

"Our partnership has progressed beyond simply conducting exercises together to refine our tactical capabilities at practical level," he said.

He said increasingly sophisticated training was helping both air forces advance their cooperation and strengthen their ability to contribute to peace and stability.

"The sophistication of our bilateral exercises reflects both the maturity of our partnership and our shared commitment to peace and stability in the region," Morita said.

He also pointed to a wider range of cooperation, including senior-level exchanges, subject matter expert interactions and possible cooperation in the space domain.

Morita said the two countries shared a common vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific".

JAPAN'S F-2 FIGHTERS DEPLOYED TO JODHPUR

The JASDF contingent arrived in India with its personnel and equipment, while the F-2A fighters were ferried from Tsuiki Air Base to Air Force Station Jodhpur.

The exercise involves advanced operational missions and mission planning conferences, along with subject matter expert exchanges and interactions on engineering and aerospace safety.

Air warriors from both countries have undertaken operational flying and professional interactions during the exercise.

The two contingents have also participated in cultural activities, including a yoga session on September 12.

Lieutenant General Tasaki Takehiro, Commander of the Western Air Defence Force, JASDF, also visited Air Force Station Jodhpur and interacted with participating contingents and senior IAF leadership.

INDIA'S TEJAS PROGRAMME IN FOCUS

The exercise has also provided an opportunity to showcase India's indigenous fighter aircraft.

Morita described Tejas as a symbol of India's technological innovation and the "Make in India" initiative. Recalling his sortie, he said he thought about the efforts of people across the military and industry who contributed to the aircraft's development.

"I will remember it not only as a truly invaluable experience, but also as a powerful symbol of the trust, confidence, and partnership that have been built between our two air services over many years," Morita said.

Singh said a large number of Tejas aircraft had been ordered, although some deliveries had been affected by global supply chain issues.

He also spoke about the Tejas MK-2, saying its development would take India's defence aviation industry and research and development to "much higher heights".

While describing Morita's participation in the Tejas formation as an example of the trust placed in India's indigenous aircraft, Singh said: "I will say that the defence aviation industry and R & D is now set to hit much higher heights."

EXERCISE TO CONCLUDE ON SEPTEMBER 22

Veer Guardian-2026 is the second edition of the bilateral air exercise between the IAF and JASDF.

The exercise began on September 9 and will conclude on September 22, after which the JASDF contingent will return to Japan.

The exercise has combined operational flying with mission planning, professional exchanges, engineering and aerospace safety interactions, as the two air forces deepen practical cooperation.