New Delhi, 20 September (H.S.): Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force General Takehiro Morita flew the Tejas fighter aircraft over Jodhpur on Sunday during the ongoing air exercise ‘Veer Guardian’. A Sukhoi-30MKI fighter also took to the skies alongside the Tejas, showcasing air power and the growing strategic partnership between India and Japan.

The flight highlighted the expanding defence cooperation and operational engagement between the two countries.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and General Takehiro Morita separately flew the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1 during Exercise Veer Guardian at Air Force Station Jodhpur. Both air chiefs proceeded towards their respective aircraft before taking part in the flight as part of the exercise.

The bilateral Exercise Veer Guardian, which began on September 9, will continue until September 22. The exercise involves frontline fighter aircraft from both countries, including India’s Tejas, Sukhoi-30MKI and Rafale jets, as well as Japan’s F-2A fighter aircraft. The exercise is aimed at strengthening interoperability and defence cooperation between the two countries.

The bilateral air exercise is taking place at a time when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had, on September 10, described Japan’s deployment of its fighter aircraft to India for Exercise Veer Guardian as a ‘significant milestone’ in the India-Japan defence partnership.

He had emphasised that the first visit of Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft to India demonstrated growing mutual trust and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Recalling his talks with his Japanese counterpart in New Delhi last month, Singh said that reciprocal exchanges such as Exercise Veer Guardian would further strengthen coordination between the two countries.

The Indian Air Force welcomed Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighter aircraft upon their arrival in Jodhpur for the bilateral combat exercise ‘Veer Guardian’. During the 14-day exercise, participating air warriors will undertake advanced operational missions and engage in extensive professional interactions.

This is India’s second air exercise involving Japanese fighter aircraft. Earlier, in 2023, Indian fighter aircraft visited Japan for the first time. At that time, the Indian contingent participated with four Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft.

During the first edition of Exercise Veer Guardian, the Indian and Japanese air forces spent 16 days conducting air operations and gaining insights into each other’s capabilities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar