Veer Guardian 2026: India-Japan Hold First Joint Air Exercise in Jodhpur

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) are conducting their first bilateral air exercise, Veer Guardian-2026, at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 9 to 22 September 2026. Spanning fourteen days, the exercise marks a major step in defence cooperation between the two countries, bringing together frontline fighter squadrons for joint operational training.

Veer Guardian Air Exercise Activities

The exercise goes well beyond flying missions. Alongside advanced aerial operations, air warriors from both forces are taking part in structured professional exchanges designed to build long-term interoperability. Key activities include:

1. Mission Planning Conferences: Joint sessions where pilots and commanders coordinate operational strategy before each sortie.
2. Subject Matter Expert Exchanges: Specialists from both air forces share knowledge on tactics and best practices.
3. Engineering and Safety Interactions: Technical teams discuss aircraft maintenance protocols and aerospace safety standards.

Together, these components aim to sharpen tactical proficiency on both sides while strengthening the operational synergy needed for future joint missions. Officials describe the exercise as a clear signal of the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.

India and Japan Aircraft Included in Exercise Veer Guardian 2026

Each air force is showcasing a distinct fleet during the exercise:

Indian Air Force:

• Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas — India's indigenously built fighter jet
• Su-30 MKI — a heavy multirole air superiority fighter
• Rafale — a French-origin 4.5-generation multirole fighter

Japan Air Self Defence Force:

• F-2A — a multirole fighter jet co-developed by Japan and the United States

This mix allows both forces to test their aircraft and crews against different platforms, giving pilots exposure to varied combat systems and tactics.