New Delhi: Japan India Veer Guardian 2026 exercise is drawing major attention as Japan prepares to deploy its Mitsubishi F-2A fighter jets to India for the first time. The bilateral air exercise will not only improve combat interoperability between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), but also create opportunities for discussions on electronic warfare lessons learned from encounters with Chinese-origin PL-15E air-to-air missiles.
Official statements from Japan and India show that defense cooperation between the two countries is expanding rapidly across operational, technological, and strategic domains.
Japan India Veer Guardian 2026 Exercise: Japan’s F-2A Fighters To Make Historic Visit To India
The Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will conduct Veer Guardian 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 9 to September 21, 2026. The exercise marks the first operational deployment of Japanese fighter aircraft to Indian soil.
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Japan will deploy three Mitsubishi F-2A multirole fighter jets along with around 110 JASDF personnel. The aircraft will operate alongside IAF fighters in advanced air combat training missions.
The exercise follows the inaugural Veer Guardian exercise held in Japan in 2023, where India deployed Su-30MKI fighters, C-17 transport aircraft, and an IL-78 aerial refueling tanker.
Why Japan India Veer Guardian 2026 Exercise Matters
The exercise comes at a time when India and Japan are deepening defense cooperation under their Special Strategic and Global Partnership. During a recent meeting in New Delhi, the defense ministers of both countries welcomed progress in Veer Guardian 2026 and highlighted that Japanese fighter aircraft would participate in India for the first time. Both sides also agreed to expand military cooperation and technology exchanges.
The deployment is also significant because it demonstrates Japan’s growing ability to project air power over long distances in the Indo-Pacific region.
Long-Range Deployment Highlights Growing Cooperation
The journey from Japan’s Tsuiki Air Base to Jodhpur covers more than 5,600 kilometers. Because of the long distance, aerial refueling support will be required during transit. The deployment itself is considered a major logistical achievement for the JASDF and highlights increasing security cooperation among Indo-Pacific partners.
Key Facts About Japan India Veer Guardian 2026 Exercise 2026
- Exercise Dates: September 9–21, 2026
- Location: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- Japanese Aircraft: Mitsubishi F-2A fighters
- Japanese Personnel: Approximately 110
- First-Ever Operational Deployment Of Japanese Fighters To India
- Focus Areas: Air combat training, interoperability, tactical coordination, and operational cooperation.
Electronic Warfare Lessons From PL-15E Missile Encounters
A major area of interest during the exercise is expected to be India’s operational experience against Chinese-origin missile systems. Reports indicate that India recovered components and debris of PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles after previous regional military operations. The recovered systems reportedly provided valuable technical information for analysis by Indian defense agencies and scientists.
According to defense reports, Indian experts studied missile seeker technologies, guidance systems, and electronic warfare vulnerabilities. Such information can help improve defensive countermeasures against advanced missile threats.
Why Japan Is Interested
Japan regularly faces increasing military activity around the East China Sea and operates in an environment where advanced Chinese air combat systems are present. Any real-world electronic warfare knowledge related to modern Chinese missile technologies could provide useful operational insights for future defense planning and threat assessment.
India-Japan Defense Partnership Continues To Expand
Defense cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo has grown steadily over the past decade. Joint exercises such as Dharma Guardian, JAIMEX, and Veer Guardian have become important platforms for improving interoperability between the armed forces of both nations.
The two countries are also strengthening cooperation in defense technology, research, intelligence sharing, logistics, and military training.
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FAQs
Veer Guardian 2026 is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force scheduled from September 9 to September 21, 2026, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Japan is deploying F-2A fighters to improve interoperability with the Indian Air Force and participate in the first-ever operational deployment of Japanese fighter aircraft to India.
PL-15E missiles are advanced Chinese-origin beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. Insights gained from their analysis can help improve electronic warfare capabilities and missile defense strategies.
