The ‘Veer Guardian-2023’ exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) is currently underway at Japan's Hyakuri air base and will last until 26 January

Photo Credit : IAF,

Amid growing concerns about China's military buildup in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Japan launched their first bilateral air exercise on Thursday.

The ‘Veer Guardian-2023’ exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) is currently underway at Japan's Hyakuri air base and will last until 26 January.

The Indian contingent includes four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 aircraft, while the Japanese contingent includes four F-2 and four F-15 aircraft.

The first exercise will include various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces.

They will conduct multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and share best practices.

Experts from both sides will also meet to share their knowledge on various operational aspects.

“Exercise ‘Veer Guardian’ will strengthen the two Air Forces' long-standing friendship and expand avenues of defence cooperation,” India's Ministry of Defence said.

“This exercise will be another step in the two countries' deepening strategic ties and closer defence cooperation,” the Ministry added.

During the second ‘2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial’ meeting in Tokyo last September, India and Japan agreed to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and conduct more military exercises, including the first joint fighter jet drills.