India and Japan’s air force chiefs took to the skies in India’s indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft during Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur on September 20.
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita participated in a Tejas formation sortie, highlighting the growing operational engagement between the two air forces.
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A Tejas Formation Over Jodhpur
During the sortie, AP Singh led the formation in a Tejas aircraft, while General Morita flew in the twin-seat version of the indigenous fighter.
The formation flew over the airfield before carrying out a peel-off manoeuvre for landing. The sortie gave the Japanese air chief first-hand experience of the Tejas and its operating environment.
General Morita described the experience as a valuable opportunity and highlighted the Tejas as a symbol of India’s technological innovation and indigenous defence capabilities.
Part of Exercise Veer Guardian 2026
The flight took place during the ongoing Veer Guardian 2026, the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
The exercise is being conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur from September 9 to September 22, 2026. It includes advanced operational missions, mission-planning activities, professional exchanges and discussions involving engineering and aerospace safety.
Indian and Japanese Fighter Jets Join the Exercise
The Indian Air Force is participating with a mix of frontline aircraft, including:
● LCA Tejas
● Su-30MKI
● Rafale
Japan has deployed its F-2A fighter aircraft for the exercise.
A notable aspect of this year’s exercise is that it marks the first time Japanese fighter aircraft have operated from Indian soil as part of a bilateral exercise.
A First-Hand Look at India’s Indigenous Fighter
For General Morita, flying the Tejas provided an opportunity to experience India’s domestically developed combat aircraft directly.
His comments after the sortie highlighted the connection between the aircraft and India’s broader indigenous aerospace and defence-development efforts.
The flight also brought the senior leadership of the two air forces together in an operational setting rather than simply through formal meetings.
Strengthening Operational Cooperation
Exercise Veer Guardian is designed to improve the ability of the two air forces to operate together through realistic training and professional exchanges.
The Indian Air Force has described the exercise as an opportunity to enhance tactical proficiency, interoperability and aerospace operational synergy between the two countries.
The exercise also allows personnel from both sides to exchange knowledge on areas including mission planning, engineering and aviation safety.
1. Senior Leaders Took Part in the Exercise
The participation of both air force chiefs in the Tejas formation sortie added a senior-level operational dimension to the exercise.
2. Japanese F-2 Fighters Are Operating in India
The deployment of Japanese F-2A fighters to Indian soil for the bilateral exercise marks a significant development in India-Japan air-force cooperation.
3. Tejas Gets an International Spotlight
The sortie provided an opportunity for Japan’s air force leadership to experience India’s indigenous fighter aircraft first-hand.
4. Cooperation Is Becoming More Operational
Beyond meetings and exchanges, exercises such as Veer Guardian involve pilots and support personnel working together on advanced operational activities.
The Tejas formation sortie in Jodhpur has become one of the notable moments of Exercise Veer Guardian 2026.
With Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and General Takehiro Morita taking to the skies, the event brought together India’s indigenous aerospace capability and Japan’s air force leadership in a joint operational setting.
As the exercise continues through September 22, India and Japan are using the drills to deepen interoperability, professional exchanges and practical defence cooperation.🇮🇳🇯🇵✈️
