IndiaPosted at: Sep 20 2026 6:22PM


Japanese fighters operate from Indian soil for 1st time, marking new phase in India-Japan air ties

By Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Japanese fighter aircrafts operating from Indian soil for the first time has marked a significant new milestone in the expanding defence partnership between India and Japan, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said today, as he and his Japanese counterpart General Takehiro Morita flew in a Tejas formation during Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at 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 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from September 9 to 22. The exercise has brought together India's Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale fighters with Japan's F-2A aircrafts, which were ferried from Tsuiki Air Base in Japan for the exercise.
The deployment is significant as it represents the first occasion on which JASDF fighter aircraft are operating from Indian territory in a bilateral exercise.
“This exercise, especially because the Japanese fighters have been operating from Indian soil for the first time, is a great milestone in the history of our relationship and our partnership,” Singh said.
Recalling the participation of Japanese personnel during Exercise Tarang Shakti-24, he said the two sides had missed the opportunity to bring Japanese aircraft to India at that time due to bad weather during their ferrying route. “I am very happy that we have caught up this time,” he said.
Singh further said the development reflected the “deepening dimension” of the strategic, special strategic and comprehensive partnership between India and Japan, while underlining the importance of the relationship between the two air forces.
“There is a Sanskrit expression, which says, Apatsu Mitram, a friend in time of need. I think the spirit reflected in the relationship between the Indian Air Force and Kokujitai is exactly the same,” he said.
Describing the partnership as being founded on mutual respect, professional trust and a shared commitment to peace and stability, Singh said both countries shared a vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The IAF chief further said the bilateral engagement had evolved over the years from subject matter expert exchanges to tactical-level exercises, providing both sides opportunities to understand each other's operational methods and improve their capabilities.
“When we do exercises together, we learn from each other, we fly together, we train together. So both sides improve together,” Singh said.
He described the growing synergy between the two air forces as “Kizuna”, a Japanese expression referring to a bond or enduring connection strengthened through shared experiences, mutual respect and collaborative operations.
As part of Sunday's engagement, Morita flew in a Tejas trainer aircraft with Group Captain I Samrat, commanding officer of the Tejas squadron, while Singh flew the fighter variant and led the formation.
The formation made a pass over the airfield before executing a peel-off manoeuvre for landing. The sortie provided Morita an opportunity to experience the indigenous fighter and interact professionally with Indian fighter pilots.
Describing the flight as a significant personal and professional experience, Morita said, “I will remember it not only as a truly valuable experience, but also as a powerful symbol of trust, confidence, and friendship.”
Morita further said the relationship between the two air forces had progressed beyond the conduct of exercises alone and was increasingly focused on practical tactical cooperation.
“Our partnership has progressed beyond simply conducting exercises together to refine our tactical capabilities at practical level,” he said.
He said the enhanced engagement between the two air forces would contribute to peace and stability while strengthening regional deterrence. Morita also highlighted the shared India-Japan vision of a “free and open” Indo-Pacific and pointed to expanding cooperation through exercises, professional exchanges, subject matter expert interactions and potential engagement in the space domain.
The two service chiefs also exchanged badges in a gesture symbolising mutual respect and the strengthening of institutional ties. The IAF chief also pointed to the experience of Morita flying the indigenous fighter as an indication of the growing confidence in India's aerospace capabilities.
The IAF chief also referred to the country's ongoing efforts to expand its indigenous fighter aircraft ecosystem, including the Tejas Mk-II and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
“Indian aviation, I will say defence aviation industry and R&D is now set to hit much higher heights,” he said, noting that the sortie flown by Morita was an example of the trust placed in India's indigenous aircraft.
Singh further said the institutional relationship between the two air forces would continue beyond changes in leadership.
“With one person retiring, nothing will change, the kind of relationship that we have with Kokujitai will continue, my successors will take it forward and will work with you closely to ensure that our relationship grows from strength to strength,” he added.
The exercise, which concludes on September 22, is providing the two air forces an opportunity to undertake complex flying operations, exchange operational practices and deepen interoperability, while the deployment of Japanese F-2A fighters to Jodhpur adds a new dimension to the bilateral military engagement.
UNI PWS SS
Tags: #Japanese fighters operate from Indian soil for 1st time# marking new phase in India-Japan air ties
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