Archive · 20 Sep 2026
India, Japan Air Chiefs Fly Tejas During Veer Guardian Exercise
India and Japan are holding a joint air exercise in Jodhpur.
On September 20, the chiefs of both air forces flew together in Indian Tejas aircraft.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh led the formation.
General Takehiro Morita flew in a two-seat Tejas with an Indian pilot.
Japan has sent F-2A fighter jets to India for the first time for this exercise.
India is using Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter aircraft.
The countries are practicing combat-like missions and learning how each other operates.
They are also discussing planning, engineering and aircraft safety.
The exercise is scheduled to finish on September 22, 2026.
Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and JASDF Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita flew a Tejas formation sortie at Air Force Station Jodhpur on September 20, 2026.
Singh led the formation in a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, while Morita flew a twin-seat Tejas trainer with an Indian pilot.
Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is being conducted from September 9 to 22, with Japanese F-2A fighters operating from Indian soil for the first time.
India is participating with Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft, while Japan has deployed F-2A fighter jets from Tsuiki Air Base.
The exercise includes simulated combat, air-strike missions, mission planning, professional exchanges, and discussions on engineering and aerospace safety.
- Who
- The Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, represented by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and General Takehiro Morita.
- What
- Exercise Veer Guardian-2026, including a Tejas formation sortie by the two air force chiefs and joint operational training.
- When
- The formation sortie took place on September 20, 2026; the exercise is scheduled to run from September 9 to September 22, 2026.
- Where
- Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
- Why
- To strengthen interoperability, operational coordination, mutual understanding and defence cooperation between India and Japan.
- Exercise
- Veer Guardian-2026
- Participants
- Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force
- Formation sortie
- Tejas sortie by the two air force chiefs on September 20, 2026
- Location
- Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- Indian aircraft
- Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale
- Japanese aircraft
- F-2A fighter aircraft
- Exercise dates
- September 9-22, 2026
- Main activities
- Simulated combat, air-strike missions, mission planning and professional exchanges
Sources
Exercise Veer Guardian-2026: IAF’s Tejas, Su-30MKI & Rafale joined by Japan’s F-2A
IAF Chief AP Singh, Japan Air Force Chief Fly Tejas During Indo-Japan Exercise Veer Guardian-2026
IAF Chief, Japan air chief fly Tejas formation sortie during Exercise Veer Guardian in Jodhpur
India, Japan Air Force Chiefs fly Tejas during Veer Guardian 2026 exercise
India, Japan Air Chiefs Attend 'Exercise Veer Guardian-2026' at Jodhpur Air Force Station