Veer Guardian 2026

Veer Guardian 2026, the India–Japan bilateral air exercise, is being conducted at Jodhpur Air Force Station, Rajasthan. 

What is Veer Guardian?

• Veer Guardian is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
• The current edition involves Indian Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft, while Japan has deployed its F-2A fighter aircraft. 
• Importantly, the 2026 edition marks the first deployment of Japanese fighter aircraft to India for this exercise.
• The exercise is designed to move beyond symbolic engagement towards practical operational cooperation.
• The central objective is to improve interoperability—the ability of two different air forces to communicate, coordinate and operate effectively together.
• The exercise also strengthens India’s growing strategic partnership with Japan and contributes to a more capable and cooperative Indo-Pacific security environment.

• The participating forces conduct advanced operational missions and joint activities.
• Mission-planning conferences and subject-matter expert exchanges help both sides understand each other’s operational procedures.
• Personnel also exchange knowledge on engineering and aerospace safety, strengthening technical cooperation.

From Shinyuu Maitri to Veer Guardian

India and Japan’s air-force engagement has developed progressively. Shinyuu Maitri, held in India in 2018, was the first bilateral air exercise involving the two air forces. Veer Guardian subsequently developed into a dedicated fighter-aircraft exercise, with Veer Guardian 2023 being the first edition involving fighter aircraft. The 2026 edition is therefore an important step towards more complex operational cooperation.

Exam Hook

Key Takeaway: Veer Guardian reflects the shift in India–Japan defence relations from diplomatic cooperation towards practical operational interoperability and aerospace cooperation.

One-line Wrap: Veer Guardian combines defence diplomacy, operational learning and India’s indigenous aerospace ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.