The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) will participate in the joint air exercise known as “Veer Guardian-2023,” which will be held at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan from the 12th to the 26th of January 2023. This is going to take place in order to develop further the Air Defense cooperation that exists between the two countries.
Along with the deployment of 150 support personnel, the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force will dispatch to Japan four Su-30MKI fighters, two C-17 transport aircraft, and a total of four transport aircraft. From the Air Self-Defense Force, there will be participation from the Chubu Air Warning and Control Unit, as well as four F-2 aircraft from the 7th Air Wing at Hyakuri Air Base, four F-15 fighters from the Air Tactical Guidance Group at the Komatsu Air Base, and the Chubu Air Warning and Control Unit. There will reportedly be a variety of different types of tactical training conducted at the two bases stated above. According to the Air Self-Defense Force, IL-78s aerial refuelling aircraft from the IAF Central Air Command will also be used to refuel IAF fighters while they are in flight.
The Western Air Command No. 81 Squadron C-17 transport aircraft x 2 aircraft being sent to Japan are only for transport during deployment and withdrawal.
The Desert Tiger Su-30 MKIs from the 220 Squadron will stop in Thailand and the Philippines before arriving in Japan.
India and Japan reached an agreement on September 8, 2022, during the second 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting that was held in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting was held on September 8, 2022, and it reflected the growing security cooperation between the two countries. The agreement stated that India and Japan would increase their bilateral defence cooperation and conduct more military exercises, including the first joint fighter jet drills. This exercise will serve as an additional step towards boosting strategic ties and increasing defence cooperation between the two countries.
During the first-ever practice between the two Air Forces, there will be a number of aerial combat drills carried out. They will undertake multi-domain air combat operations in an environment that is complex and share best practices with one another. In addition, specialists from both parties will communicate with one another to discuss a wide range of operational topics and exchange the information they have learned. The long-standing connection between the two Air Forces will be strengthened during the exercise “Veer Guardian,” which will also increase the opportunities for defence cooperation between the two nations.
