Veer Guardian-2026: India-Japan Bilateral Air Exercise at Jodhpur — 2nd Edition, IAF-JASDF Interoperability, and Strategic Significance

Why in News

India and Japan commenced the 2nd edition of their bilateral air exercise, Veer Guardian-2026, at Air Force Station, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on September 9, 2026. The exercise runs until September 22, 2026, and involves fighter jets and transport aircraft from both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).

Background

India and Japan elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in 2022, building on the 2008 Strategic and Global Partnership. Defence cooperation has been a cornerstone of this partnership, with the two countries signing a Defence Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement and engaging in regular service-to-service exchanges.

• The 1st edition, Veer Guardian-23, held in January 2023 at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, was the maiden bilateral air exercise between the IAF and JASDF — a historic first in India-Japan defence relations.
• Both countries are members of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) along with the United States and Australia, which focuses on a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Japan's National Security Strategy (2022) identifies India as a "special strategic partner" and explicitly supports the India-Japan defence relationship.
• The choice of Jodhpur is significant — it is one of India's strategically important air force stations in western Rajasthan, close to the Pakistan border, and regularly hosts bilateral exercises (Tasman Saber, Desert Knight).

Current Developments

Veer Guardian-2026 runs for 14 days (September 9–22, 2026) at Air Force Station, Jodhpur. Key features of this edition:

• IAF aircraft deployed: LCA Tejas (indigenous 4th-generation fighter), Su-30 MKI (heavy air superiority fighter), and Rafale (twin-engine multirole fighter)
• JASDF aircraft deployed: F-2A fighter jets (Mitsubishi-Lockheed Martin, domestically developed variant); JASDF C-2 strategic transport aircraft ferried the Japanese contingent to Jodhpur
• Activities include: Air combat maneuvering, mission planning conferences, subject-matter expert exchanges, discussions on engineering practices, aerospace safety procedures, and tactical proficiency drills
• The exercise focuses on interoperability — aligning standard operating procedures, communication protocols, and combined air operations between the two forces
• Both air forces will practice air-to-air combat scenarios, formation flying, and tactical manoeuvres that simulate real-world combined operations

Key Facts

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 51 — Directive Principle directing the State to promote international peace, security, and respect for treaty obligations — the legal spirit behind India's defence diplomacy
• Article 53(2) — Supreme command of the Defence Forces vested in the President; exercises like Veer Guardian are sanctioned under this executive authority
• Seventh Schedule, List I, Entry 1 — Defence of India including all armed forces falls under Union/Parliament's exclusive legislative competence

Legal Framework

• Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) principles govern the legal status of visiting foreign military personnel and equipment during bilateral exercises in India
• India's Defence Cooperation Agreement with Japan (2008, expanded 2022) provides the institutional framework for such exercises
• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 — guides technology transfer aspects of India-Japan defence industry cooperation

Institutional Framework

• Indian Air Force (IAF) — headquartered at Vayu Bhavan, New Delhi; Air Chief Marshal heads the force; exercises conducted under Western Air Command jurisdiction for Jodhpur
• Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) — one of Japan's three Self-Defence Forces; constitutionally mandated to be purely defensive, but increasingly participates in complex overseas exercises
• Ministry of Defence (MoD), India — authorises and coordinates bilateral defence exercises through the Integrated Defence Staff
• Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) — operate under Japan's revised National Security Strategy 2022, which allows "counter-strike capability" — a major policy shift
• Quad — grouping of India, USA, Japan, and Australia; intelligence and military cooperation among Quad members has intensified since 2021

Economic Dimensions

India-Japan bilateral trade stood at approximately USD 22–24 billion in FY2024-25, with Japan being one of India's top 10 trading partners. The India-Japan Trade and Investment Pact (CEPA, 2011) governs trade. Defence industry cooperation — including Japan's Exail Robotics partnering Indian firms on mine-countermeasure vessels, and Thales Belgium/Japan partnerships — creates industrial value chains that benefit India's Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing.

For Banking/SSC angle: Japan's Joint Credit Rating (JCR) recently upgraded India's sovereign rating to 'A–', reflecting improved macroeconomic fundamentals. India-Japan currency swap arrangements (worth USD 75 billion) also provide forex stability — relevant for banking awareness sections.

International Relations

Veer Guardian-2026 is emblematic of deepening India-Japan defence and security convergence driven by shared concerns over China's military expansion in the Indo-Pacific:

• Quad framework: India, US, Japan, Australia coordinate on maritime domain awareness, vaccine diplomacy, and infrastructure financing under the Quad agenda
• 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue: India and Japan hold foreign and defence minister-level 2+2 meetings that provide strategic direction to bilateral defence cooperation
• FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific): Both India and Japan are co-architects of the FOIP concept, opposing coercive change to the rules-based order in the South China Sea and East China Sea
• Japan's JSDF posture shift: Japan revised its Article 9 interpretation in 2015 to allow collective self-defence, and the 2022 NSS allows pre-emptive counter-strike capability — making JASDF a more capable and willing partner for complex bilateral exercises
• India's reciprocal exercise: India also conducts Dharma Guardian (Army), Shinyuu Maitri (Air Force, predecessor format), and Sahayog Kaijin (Coast Guard) with Japan

Challenges

• Japan's constitutional constraints: Article 9 of Japan's Constitution renounces war — while reinterpreted, it still limits the scope of JSDF's offensive participation in exercises
• Interoperability gaps: Indian and Japanese aircraft use different communication protocols, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems, and tactical data links — closing these gaps takes sustained engagement
• China's perception: Both India and Japan face escalated military pressure from China (LAC for India; East China Sea/Senkaku for Japan); deepening India-Japan defence ties risk being read as containment by Beijing
• Technology transfer friction: Japan's strict export controls (Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment, 2014) limit what it can share with India despite political intent

Government Initiatives

• India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue — institutionalised high-level defence and foreign policy coordination
• India-Japan Defence Industry Forum — private sector-level platform for joint defence manufacturing
• JIMEX (Japan India Maritime Exercise) — annual naval exercise complementing Veer Guardian on the air side
• iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies) — while primarily India-US, Japan is a participant in related Quad technology cooperation forums
• Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence: India targets USD 5 billion in defence exports by 2025; Japan's technology transfer (though limited) supports this goal

Way Forward

The 2nd ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission) has emphasised institutionalising defence cooperation through structured bilateral frameworks rather than ad-hoc engagements. For India-Japan specifically, the path forward includes:

• Negotiating a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) similar to Japan's agreements with Australia and the UK, which would allow each country's forces to operate from the other's bases
• Expanding the bilateral exercise calendar to include combined maritime patrol exercises in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal
• Deepening defence industrial cooperation through joint production of drones, jet engines, and communication systems under the Quad Defence Industrial Cooperation agenda
• Jointly developing hypersonic counter-measures given China's deployment of hypersonic glide vehicles

Possible Mains Questions

1. "Bilateral air exercises like Veer Guardian are as much diplomatic instruments as military ones." Critically examine this statement in the context of India's Indo-Pacific strategy. (GS-II, 250 words)
2. Analyse the evolution of India-Japan defence relations from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive global partnership. What structural factors limit deeper military integration? (GS-II, 250 words)

Possible Prelims MCQs

1. Q: Which of the following correctly describes 'Veer Guardian-2026'?
   Ans: (a) A bilateral air exercise between India and Japan held at Jodhpur — 2nd edition
2. Q: The 1st edition of the Veer Guardian bilateral air exercise was held in which country?
   Ans: Japan (at Hyakuri Air Base, January 2023)
3. Q: India's participation in Veer Guardian is conducted by which service?
   Ans: Indian Air Force (IAF)
4. Q: Which of the following aircraft does India deploy in Veer Guardian-2026? (1) LCA Tejas (2) Rafale (3) Su-30 MKI — Select correct: (d) All of the above
5. Q: Under which bilateral framework does Veer Guardian operate?
   Ans: India-Japan Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership

Essay Dimensions

1. Defence diplomacy as a pillar of India's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific
2. The Quad: security architecture or strategic hedge in a multipolar world?
3. Interoperability vs sovereignty: the paradox of bilateral military exercises
4. Japan's post-war pacifism and its slow unravelling — implications for the Asian security order
5. India's rise as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region

Interview Questions

1. What distinguishes Veer Guardian from JIMEX and other India-Japan military exercises? What gaps in India-Japan military cooperation remain?
2. Japan's Article 9 has long constrained its military role. How has the 2022 National Security Strategy changed Japan's security posture, and what does this mean for India?
3. Should India sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan? What would India gain and what risks would it carry?
4. How does deepening India-Japan defence cooperation factor into India's broader China strategy?
5. What is the significance of hosting Veer Guardian-2026 at Jodhpur specifically — both strategically and politically?

FAQ

What is Veer Guardian?

Veer Guardian is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF). The 1st edition (Veer Guardian-23) was held in Japan in January 2023. The 2nd edition runs at Jodhpur, India, September 9–22, 2026.

What aircraft does Japan use in Veer Guardian-2026?

Japan deploys F-2A fighter jets (a domestically developed variant of the F-16) and C-2 strategic transport aircraft to ferry personnel and equipment to Jodhpur.

Is India part of any defence alliance with Japan?

India is not in a formal alliance but shares a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with Japan (2022). Both are Quad members. India maintains a policy of strategic autonomy and does not enter into formal military alliances.

What is the strategic significance of Jodhpur for this exercise?

Jodhpur is a key western-sector air base with experience hosting multilateral exercises (Desert Knight, etc.). Its geographic position and infrastructure make it ideal for air combat manoeuvring scenarios.

Further Reading

• DD News — Veer Guardian-2026 announcement: https://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-japan-to-conduct-bilateral-air-exercise-veer-guardian-2026-in-jodhpur/
• Ministry of Defence, Government of India: https://mod.gov.in
• Japan's National Security Strategy 2022: Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan
• Ministry of External Affairs — India-Japan relations: https://mea.gov.in