India and Japan strengthened their growing air-force cooperation on September 20 as Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita took to the skies in Tejas aircraft during Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
The joint aerial activity came during the ongoing bilateral exercise, which brings frontline aircraft from both countries together for advanced operational training. The Indian Air Force is participating with its indigenous Tejas along with Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter aircraft, while the Japanese contingent has deployed F-2A fighters.
General Takehiro Morita flew in a Tejas with an Indian pilot, while Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also undertook a Tejas sortie. The flight provided the Japanese air chief with an opportunity to experience India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft and highlighted the increasing operational interaction between the two air forces.
Morita described the opportunity to fly the Tejas as significant and praised the aircraft as a representation of India’s indigenous defence capabilities and the country’s technological development. Air Chief Marshal Singh highlighted the close relationship between the two air forces and their shared vision for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 began at Jodhpur on September 9 and is scheduled to continue until September 22. The exercise involves simulated combat scenarios, operational missions, mission planning and professional exchanges designed to improve interoperability, tactical proficiency and mutual understanding between the participating air forces.
The deployment of Japanese F-2A fighters to India is also notable as it marks the first time Japanese fighter aircraft have participated in an exercise from Indian soil. The ongoing drills therefore provide both sides with an opportunity to gain experience operating alongside different fighter platforms while expanding practical defence cooperation between India and Japan.