India, Japan Begin Veer Guardian-2026 Air Defence Exercise

The Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force will conduct Veer Guardian-2026, a bilateral air defence exercise, at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The 14-day exercise is scheduled from 9 September to 22 September 2026, and it is the second edition of the exercise after the inaugural edition in Japan in 2023.

Exercise Profile

Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral air combat training exercise between India and Japan. The exercise involves operational deployment of Japanese fighter aircraft at an Indian air base for the first time.

Participating Air Forces and Aircraft

The Indian Air Force is participating with the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale fighter jets. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force is deploying three Mitsubishi F-2A fighter aircraft from the 8th Wing at Tsuiki Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture, along with about 110 personnel.

Transit and Logistics

The Japanese contingent reached India using C-2 transport aircraft for logistics and personnel movement. The fighter aircraft travelled to India through Naha Air Base in Okinawa and Thailand, with aerial refuelling support from the United States Air Force during transit.

Important Facts for Exams

• Veer Guardian is a bilateral air defence exercise between India and Japan.
• The first edition of the exercise took place in Japan in 2023.
• Air Force Station Jodhpur is located in Rajasthan.
• The Mitsubishi F-2A is a Japanese multirole fighter aircraft developed with United States assistance.

Training Objectives

The exercise includes air-combat manoeuvring, operational planning, and professional exchanges on aerospace safety and engineering practices. Air combat manoeuvring is a basic component of fighter training and involves close-range aerial tactics.

Japan Air Self-Defence Force

The Japan Air Self-Defence Force is the air branch of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces. It operates fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, and air defence systems for the protection of Japanese airspace.

Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces and operates combat aircraft, transport aircraft, helicopters, and airborne early warning systems. The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is an indigenous single-engine multirole fighter developed in India.