Japanese F-2A Fighters Arrive in Jodhpur for India-Japan Veer Guardian 26 Exercise

The exercise builds on the drills conducted in Japan in 2023 and will focus on interoperability and friendship through joint air-combat training.

For the first time, three Mitsubishi F-2A fighter aircraft and 110 Japanese personnel will operate from Indian soil. The aircraft reached India after flying via Okinawa and Thailand, with aerial refueling support.

The arrival of the Japanese contingent at Air Force Station Jodhpur sets the stage for the exercise, which will bring Indian and Japanese air forces together for joint air-combat training from September 9 to 22.

EXERCISE VEER GUARDIAN 26

Ex Veer Guardian 2026 is being conducted between #IndianAirForce and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) at Jodhpur from 09 Sep to 22 Sep 26.

Two JASDF C-2 aircraft touched down at Air Force Station Jodhpur, marking the arrival of the Japanese… pic.twitter.com/X1VXUTTfiG

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— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 5, 2026

Veer Guardian 26 marks the continuation of the bilateral air exercise that began with the 2023 drills in Japan, with the latest edition placing Japanese F-2A fighters on Indian soil for the first time. The deployment is aimed at strengthening interoperability and friendship through coordinated air-combat training.