IndiaPosted at: Sep 20 2026 4:40PM


IAF, Japanese Air Force chiefs fly Tejas formation sortie at Jodhpur

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) In a significant display of growing India-Japan air force cooperation, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and his Japanese counterpart General Takehiro Morita on Sunday participated in a Tejas formation sortie during the ongoing Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
The second edition of the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is being conducted from September 9-22, with the participation of frontline Indian fighters, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale, and Japan's F-2A fighters.
The F-2A aircraft were ferried to Jodhpur from Tsuiki Air Base in Japan, marking the first time that JASDF fighter aircraft are operating from Indian soil as part of a bilateral exercise.
During Sunday's sortie, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, flew a fighter aircraft and led the formation, while General Morita, Chief of Staff, JASDF, flew in a trainer aircraft with Group Captain I Samrat, Commanding Officer of the Tejas squadron, as captain.
The formation flew over the airfield before carrying out a peel-off manoeuvre for landing.
The sortie allowed General Morita to experience the indigenous Tejas aircraft and its systems, while also facilitating professional interaction between the senior leadership of the two air forces.
Speaking during a joint press interaction, General Morita described the experience as a symbol of the growing ties between the two countries.
“I will remember it not only as a truly valuable experience, but also as a powerful symbol of trust, confidence, and friendship,” he said.
Morita said the partnership between the two air forces had moved beyond merely conducting exercises and was now focused on increasingly sophisticated training and tactical cooperation.
“Our partnership has progressed beyond simply conducting exercises together to refine our tactical capabilities at a practical level,” he said, adding that the enhanced cooperation would contribute to peace and stability and help strengthen regional deterrence.
He said India and Japan shared a common vision of a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, while noting that the bilateral engagement covered exercises, exchanges at various levels and subject matter expert interactions, with scope for cooperation in the space domain.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said the relationship between the two air forces was based on “mutual respect, professional trust, and shared commitment to peace and stability”.
He said India and Japan shared a vision of a “free, open and rule-based Indo-Pacific”.
Referring to the growing synergy between the two air forces, Singh invoked the Japanese concept of Kizuna, describing it as an enduring bond built through mutual trust, support, shared experiences and collaboration.
The IAF chief also highlighted the significance of General Morita flying in a Tejas formation, saying it demonstrated the confidence placed in India's indigenous fighter aircraft.
“I will say that the defence aviation industry and R&D is now set to hit much higher heights,” he said, describing Morita's participation as a “very clear example of how much faith and trust you have in the homegrown Indian aircraft”.
Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 has involved operational flying, advanced mission planning, professional exchanges and discussions on engineering and aerospace safety. The two air forces have also held cultural activities, including a joint yoga session.
Lt Gen Tasaki Takehiro, Commander of the Western Air Defence Force, JASDF, also visited Air Force Station Jodhpur and interacted with the participating contingents and senior IAF leadership.
The exercise will conclude on September 22, following which the Japanese contingent will return to Japan. UNI PWS SAS
Tags: #IAF# Japanese Air Force chiefs fly Tejas formation sortie at Jodhpur
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