Exercise Veer Guardian-2026: India-Japan Bilateral Air Exercise
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Key takeaways
- The Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self Defence Force are conducting Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 9th September to 22nd September 2026.
- The 14-day exercise features IAF's LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale alongside Japan's F-2A fighter jets.
- This exercise complements other bilateral military engagements between India and Japan, including Dharma Guardian for army units and JIMEX for naval forces.
Why in News
- The Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defence Force are conducting the bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from 9th September to 22nd September 2026.
- This marks the continuation of the bilateral air exercise series, following its inaugural edition held in Japan in 2023.
Participating Forces
- The Indian Air Force is participating with frontline fighter aircraft, including the indigenous LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale.
- The Japan Air Self Defence Force is taking part in the exercise with its F-2A fighter aircraft.
Focus Area of the Exercise
- The 14-day exercise focuses on advanced operational missions, air combat manoeuvring, tactical coordination, and exchanging professional expertise between both air forces.
Enhancing Interoperability
- This joint exercise aims to improve operational readiness and tactical coordination during combined air defence missions by allowing both forces to learn from each other.
Strategic Significance
- The exercise highlights the growing strategic alignment between India and Japan to maintain a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Other Key India-Japan Exercises
- The Dharma Guardian exercise is conducted between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force, focusing on counter-terrorism and tactical ground operations.
- The JIMEX exercise is held between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, concentrating on maritime security and anti-submarine warfare.