India and Japan deepen defence ties as fighter jets train on Indian soil

NEW DELHI — India and Japan stepped up defence cooperation on 20 September 2026 when Japanese Air Self‑Defence Force (JASDF) fighters landed at Hindon Air Base for the three‑day “Veer Guardian‑2026” exercise, the first time Japanese aircraft have operated from Indian territory.

The drill, which featured 12 Mitsubishi F‑15J/DJ fighters and 8 Indian HAL Tejas Mk‑1A jets, focused on air‑to‑air combat, joint refuelling and beyond‑visual‑range missile integration. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari hailed the event as “a milestone that showcases operational interoperability and deepening trust between our forces,” adding that the exercise will become an annual fixture.

Strategic backdrop

Both capitals have framed the partnership as a cornerstone of a “free, open and inclusive Indo‑Pacific”. Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, speaking at a virtual summit on 18 September, said, “Our shared values and maritime interests compel us to translate diplomatic dialogue into concrete capabilities.” The two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence technology co‑development on 15 September, paving the way for joint research on hypersonic glide vehicles and unmanned combat aerial systems.

Economic dimension

Defence trade between the two nations reached ₹12,000 crore ($144 million) in fiscal year 2025‑26, a 15% rise from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Defence. The latest MoU is expected to add at least ₹3,000 crore in joint projects over the next five years, with a focus on avionics, radar and secure communications.

Operational outcomes

During “Veer Guardian‑2026”, Indian pilots practiced the AIM‑120D Advanced Medium‑Range Air‑to‑Air Missile (AMRAAM) launch profile from Tejas aircraft, while Japanese crews conducted simulated intercepts using the AAM‑4B missile. The exercise also included a live‑fire drill of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, launched from a naval platform off the coast of Gujarat, demonstrating integrated strike capabilities.

Analysts say the joint training reduces the logistical gap that has long limited Indo‑Japanese air interoperability. “Standardising tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) is essential for any coalition operation,” noted defence expert Dr. Arvind Singh of the Institute for Strategic Studies. He added that the partnership could serve as a counterweight to growing Chinese naval activity in the South China Sea.

Future roadmap

Both sides have outlined a roadmap that includes a biennial air‑exercise cycle, a joint research centre in Nagoya for next‑generation propulsion, and a shared procurement framework for 5G‑enabled battlefield networks. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced that a senior delegation will visit Tokyo in November to finalise the legal framework for co‑production of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

With the first joint sortie completed, officials say the India‑Japan partnership is moving from strategic dialogue to operational reality, reinforcing regional stability and expanding indigenous defence capabilities.