Why In News?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) have commenced their bilateral air combat exercise, ‘Veer Guardian-2026’, at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

What is Exercise Veer Guardian?

Bilateral Air Combat Exercise: Exercise Veer Guardian is the dedicated bilateral air defense engagement between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).

Evolution from Hyakuri to Jodhpur: The inaugural edition of the exercise was conducted in 2023 at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan, marking the first time IAF fighter aircraft were deployed to Japanese airspace.

Institutionalized Defence Pillar: The exercise serves as the operational aerial pillar of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, complementing regular ground and naval drills.

Multi-Domain Air Defense Focus: It reflects a strategic shift from basic joint flying into high-intensity, contested airspace scenarios involving multi-aircraft combat maneuvers and electronic warfare simulations.

Broader India-Japan Defence Architecture

Army Cooperation (Exercise Dharma Guardian): Complements annual counter-insurgency and urban warfare drills conducted between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

Maritime Synergy (Exercise JIMEX & Malabar): Complements the bilateral JIMEX naval drills and the quadrilateral Exercise Malabar, extending joint anti-submarine warfare (ASW) synergies into the aerial domain.

Strategic Air Mobility (Exercise Shinyuu Maitri): Pairs tactical fighter maneuvers with transport aircraft exercises utilizing C-17, C-130J, and Kawasaki C-2 planes for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

Operationalizing the ACSA Pact (2020): Exercises the bilateral Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), facilitating reciprocal supplies, refueling, and logistical airfield access.

Co-Development under DRDO and ATLA: Creates the operational foundation for joint defense technology development between India’s DRDO and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA).

Source: PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to Exercise Veer Guardian-2026, consider the following statements:

1. It is a bilateral air combat exercise conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defence Force.

2. The 2026 edition is being conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

3. The exercise marks the first time that the indigenous LCA Tejas is deployed on Japanese territory.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:

- Statement 1 is correct: Exercise Veer Guardian is the bilateral air defense exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).

- Statement 2 is correct: The 2026 edition is hosted in India at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan (9 to 22 September 2026).

- Statement 3 is incorrect: The 2026 edition is held at Jodhpur in India, not in Japan; LCA Tejas is participating in India alongside Su-30 MKI and Rafale jets. The inaugural 2023 edition was held in Japan with Su-30 MKIs.