First visit of JASDF fighter aircraft to India, Rajnath Singh calls it a significant milestone in India-Japan defence cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has welcomed the first visit of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter aircraft to India, calling it an important milestone for the India-Japan defence partnership .

JASDF fighter aircraft have arrived in India to participate in Exercise Veer Guardian 2026. Rajnath Singh said such mutual exchanges and joint military exercises further strengthen the synergy between India and Japan.

Rajnath Singh wrote on the social media platform X that the first visit of the JASDF fighter aircraft to India reflects the growing trust between the two countries and their shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese F-2 fighter jet reaches India for the first time

Rajnath Singh made this statement while responding to a post by Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who noted that this was the first visit of a fighter aircraft from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force to India.

He said that three years ago, Indian Air Force fighter jets visited Japan for the first time. This visit by a Japanese fighter jet to India has now completed the arrangement for mutual visits between fighter jets from both countries.

Koizumi said that in his meeting with Rajnath Singh last month, both sides acknowledged that this training is an important initiative to strengthen India-Japan defense cooperation. He said that defense cooperation between the two countries is continuously advancing through frequent exchanges and joint training between frontline units.

Veer Guardian exercise will continue till September 22 in Jodhpur

Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 is being conducted between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and JASDF in Jodhpur from September 9 to 22.

The JASDF's F-2 fighter aircraft has arrived in Jodhpur to take part in the exercise. Several frontline combat aircraft from the Indian Air Force are participating, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas , Su-30 MKI, and Rafale.

In this 14-day exercise, air warriors of both the countries will participate in advanced operational missions and will have extensive professional interactions.

The exercise will include mission planning conferences, subject matter expert exchanges, and interactions between personnel from both countries on engineering and aerospace safety issues. The aim is to further strengthen operational synergy between the two air forces.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Exercise Veer Guardian-26 reflects the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan. The exercise will help enhance tactical proficiency and aerospace operational synergy. It also strengthens the long-standing friendly relations and strategic cooperation between the two countries.