India and Japan Conduct Joint Air Exercise 'Veer Guardian 2026' in Jodhpur
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) commenced the bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian 2026' at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan on September 9, 2026. Scheduled to run through September 22, the 14-day exercise brings together frontline fighter aircraft squadrons from both nations to enhance strategic defence ties and operational interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise features a diverse mix of advanced combat aircraft. The IAF is participating with its indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, heavy multirole Su-30MKI, and 4.5-generation Rafale jets, while the JASDF has fielded its F-2A multirole fighter jets. Beyond tactical aerial combat sorties, the programme encompasses mission planning conferences, engineering maintenance interactions, and subject matter expert exchanges on aerospace safety standards. Defence officials emphasized that the exercise underscores deepening bilateral security cooperation and shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
