NEW DELHI: Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Japan Air Self-Defence Force Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita took sorties on Tejas fighter aircraft on Sunday.This comes amid the ongoing Indo-Japan bilateral air exercise ‘Veer Guardian-2026’ at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan.The IAF is participating with a mix of frontline combat aircraft, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets, while the JASDF has deployed its F-2A fighter aircraft.The exercise, which began on September 9 and will continue till September 22, involves advanced operational missions, mission planning and professional exchanges between personnel of the two air forces.The participation of Japanese fighter aircraft in the exercise marks the first time JASDF combat aircraft have operated from Indian soil.Earlier, on September 10, defence minister Rajnath Singh described Japan sending its fighter aircraft to participate in Exercise Veer Guardian as a “significant milestone” for the India-Japan defence partnership.

In a post on X, he said the maiden visit of Japan Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft to India reflected growing trust and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.He also recalled his “highly productive discussions” with his Japanese counterpart in New Delhi last month, saying exchanges such as Exercise Veer Guardian would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.The Indian Air Force had welcomed the Japanese F-2 fighter jets to Jodhpur on September 8 ahead of the exercise. During the 14-day drill, air warriors from the two countries are undertaking advanced operational missions and engaging in extensive professional interactions.