Veer Guardian-2026: IAF-JASDF Air Exercise at Jodhpur

IAF–JASDF air exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Jodhpur

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Battle Brief

The Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defence Force held bilateral exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 9 to 22 September 2026. The IAF flew Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale; JASDF flew F-2A fighters. Separately, the 7th India-Japan Joint Working Group on forests met in Bengaluru on 8 September.

Fact File

Exercise: Veer Guardian-2026
Dates: 9 to 22 Sep 2026 (fourteen days)
Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur
IAF aircraft: LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, Rafale
JASDF aircraft: F-2A
Also: 7th India-Japan JWG on forests, Bengaluru, 8 Sep 2026

In the news

Veer Guardian-2026: what happened?

India and Japan have widened defence and other ties. Air exercises let pilots learn each other’s procedures. The same week, forest officials of both countries agreed on their next plan.

IAF and Japan Air Self Defence Force hold Veer Guardian-2026 at Jodhpur, 9–22 Sep; IAF fields Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale, JASDF the F-2A [PIB].
Also, the 7th India–Japan JWG on forests (Bengaluru) endorsed a 2027–2031 roadmap [PIB].

Back Story

What happened at the forests meeting?

Three areas: Trees Outside Forests, Forest Genetics, and Forest Stack (inventory, stock assessment, geospatial monitoring).
Both sides endorsed the Roadmap for 2027 to 2031 under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2015.
Delegations visited the Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru, sandalwood farms in Mysuru and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Veer Guardian-2026?

Veer Guardian: India-Japan air exercise (IAF-JASDF); 2026 edition at Jodhpur.
JASDF flew the F-2A.
India-Japan forest cooperation MoC: 2015; roadmap 2027 to 2031.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Bilateral relations and effect of policies of other countries on India

As per PIB (2026-09-08): IAF and Japan Air Self Defence Force hold Veer Guardian-2026 at Jodhpur, 9–22 Sep; IAF fields Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale, JASDF the F-2A.
Defence ties deepen Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Quotable data point
Also, the 7th India–Japan JWG on forests (Bengaluru) endorsed a 2027–2031 roadmap.
PIB: Defence: Veer Guardian-2026, 8 Sep 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Veer Guardian is a bilateral air exercise between India and

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB, 8 Sep 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is Veer Guardian-2026?

A bilateral air exercise of the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defence Force at Jodhpur, 9 to 22 September 2026.

Which aircraft did the IAF field?

LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale.

What did the India-Japan forest JWG agree?

It endorsed a Roadmap for 2027 to 2031 under the 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation.