'Veer Guardian 2026'
Why in News?
Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) began a joint air defence exercise, ‘Veer Guardian-2026,' at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
The 14-day event is the second edition of the exercise, as the inaugural edition was held in Japan in 2023. It is scheduled to conclude on September 22.
Participating Forces: The Indian Air Force is in action with its frontline fighters, the indigenous LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale, while Japan's Air Force has brought its F-2A fighters.
Focus: This 14-day drill is all about high-end flying, advanced operational missions, air combat maneuvering, joint mission planning, tactical coordination, and sharing of professional know-how.
Enhancing Interoperability: The goal is to fly and fight together better, understanding each other's tactics, practicing joint operations, and sharpening coordination for air defense missions.
Significance: More than just an exercise, it shows how India and Japan are coming closer to securing a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific through stronger defense ties and combat readiness.
Other key exercises with Japan
| Exercise | Forces Involved | Focus Area |
| Dharma Guardian | Indian Army – Japan Ground Self-Defense Force | Counter-terrorism and tactical operations |
| JAIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) | Indian Navy – Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force | Maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, and interoperability |
What are the major exercises conducted by the Air Force?
| Exercise Name | Description | Location |
| Ex-PASSEX with France | Joint exercise with French fighter aircraft | Indian Ocean Region |
| Ex Desert Flag-8 in UAE | First participation of Tejas in an international air exercise | Al-Dhafra, UAE |
| Ex Cobra Warrior | Multinational Air Exercise | UK |
| Ex Cope India | Joint exercise of India with USAF and Japan (observer) | AFS Kalaikunda & Panagarh, India |
| Ex Orion | Multinational exercise | France |
| Ex INIOCHOS | First Air Exercise between India and Greece | Greece |
| Ex Bright Star | Joint exercise with Egypt | Egypt |
What are the advantages of military exercises?
Enhanced Interoperability: Exercises help soldiers build a common tactical language and understand each other’s culture. It’s not just about machines working together but teams that can anticipate and adapt to each other in real operations.
Knowledge Exchange: Exercises create a space for joint innovation. For example, NATO’s Defender series lets forces co-develop solutions to real problems, boosting creativity and speeding up new tech and tactics.
Diplomatic Relations: They are a strong tool of defense diplomacy. For instance, Malabar naval exercises have not only improved joint working but also built trust and sent a clear signal of unity against regional challenges.
Capability Assessment: Exercises expose hidden weaknesses. A 2022 RAND report showed how a US-allied exercise revealed communication gaps between special forces and regular units, leading to major reforms.
Deterrence: Joint drills show readiness and alliance strength to rivals. E.g., Russia-Belarus exercises before the Ukraine war were also seen as psychological signaling to intimidate Ukraine and the West.
Humanitarian Assistance Preparation: Many drills now include civilians and media to mirror real crises. As the UN’s 2023 Humanitarian Data Report notes, exercises involving aid agencies improve coordination during actual disasters.
