The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally welcomed F-2 fighter jets of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, marking the start of the second edition of the India-Japan bilateral air exercise at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The exercise is being conducted from September 9 to September 22, 2026, and is aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving operational coordination and deepening defence cooperation between the two countries.
The exercise brings together a mix of frontline combat aircraft from both air forces. The IAF is participating with its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets, while the JASDF has deployed its F-2A fighter aircraft for the bilateral training programme. The participation of the Japanese F-2s provides an important opportunity for both air forces to conduct advanced air-combat training and gain greater familiarity with each other’s operational procedures.
The Japanese deployment to Jodhpur began earlier with the arrival of two JASDF C-2 transport aircraft, which carried personnel and equipment for the exercise. Japan has indicated that three F-2A aircraft from the 8th Air Wing at Tsuiki Air Base, along with approximately 110 personnel, are taking part in the exercise.
According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the 14-day exercise will involve advanced operational missions as well as professional interactions between personnel from the two air forces. The programme includes mission-planning conferences, subject-matter expert exchanges and discussions involving engineering and aerospace safety. These activities are intended to improve mutual understanding and build greater operational synergy between the IAF and JASDF.
The IAF also highlighted the significance of the exercise in a social media post, describing the skies over Jodhpur as being set for high-intensity aerial activity as JASDF F-2 aircraft join Exercise Veer Guardian. The Indian Air Force said the exercise would help strengthen interoperability, sharpen operational skills and take the India-Japan defence partnership to a higher level.
Veer Guardian 2026 is particularly significant because this is the first edition of the dedicated bilateral fighter exercise to be conducted in India. The inaugural edition was held in Japan in January 2023, where Indian Su-30MKI fighters participated alongside Japanese F-2 and F-15 aircraft. The 2026 edition therefore represents another step in expanding practical cooperation between the two air forces.
The exercise comes amid a broader strengthening of defence relations between New Delhi and Tokyo. Regular military engagements between the two countries have provided opportunities for their armed forces to improve coordination, exchange operational knowledge and develop a better understanding of each other’s capabilities. Exercise Veer Guardian further expands this cooperation into the fighter-aircraft domain.
With Indian and Japanese fighter aircraft operating together over Jodhpur, the exercise is expected to provide valuable exposure to complex air operations while enhancing tactical proficiency and operational preparedness. It also reinforces the growing strategic partnership between India and Japan and their shared interest in maintaining strong defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.