New Delhi, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday said the second edition of Exercise Veer Guardian with the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) will strengthen interoperability, operational synergy and mutual understanding between the two countries’ armed forces.
The bilateral air exercise is scheduled to be held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from September 9 to 22, with two JASDF C-2 transport aircraft arriving in Jodhpur on Saturday carrying the Japanese contingent.
The IAF said the exercise would further reinforce the enduring defence partnership and friendship between India and Japan.
“Ex Veer Guardian 2026 is being conducted between the Indian Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) at Jodhpur from 09 Sep to 22 Sep 26,” the IAF said in a post on X.
The exercise comes amid continued efforts by India and Japan to deepen bilateral defence cooperation under the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which both sides regard as an important pillar for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Last month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi held the Japan-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi. In their joint statement, the two sides emphasised the importance of sharing assessments of the regional and international security environment amid heightened global tensions.
India and Japan also reiterated their opposition to unilateral actions that undermine the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.
Recalling the Japan-India Joint Statement issued in July, Singh and Koizumi reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The two ministers also agreed to strengthen practical and effective operational cooperation in maritime security and signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation.
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