Japan air chief flies Tejas in Jodhpur, calls sortie ‘truly invaluable experience’

Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita on Sunday flew in India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas during the bilateral Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 in Jodhpur, describing the sortie as a “truly invaluable experience” and a symbol of growing trust between the two air forces.

Morita flew in a Tejas trainer with Group Captain I Samrat, Commanding Officer of the Tejas squadron, while Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew another Tejas and led the formation. The sortie lasted around 20-25 minutes and was conducted from Air Force Station Jodhpur. The formation flew over the airfield before carrying out a peel-off manoeuvre for landing.

First for Asian air chief

Morita became the first serving air force chief from an Asian country to fly in India’s indigenous Tejas fighter, adding another first to the ongoing exercise between the IAF and JASDF.

Describing Tejas as an aircraft born out of India’s indigenous defence capabilities, Morita said it represented the country’s technological innovation and the Make in India initiative.

He said flying the fighter gave him a first-hand understanding of the work undertaken by personnel in India’s military and defence industry to develop the aircraft. “I will remember it not only as a truly invaluable experience, but also as a powerful symbol of the trust, confidence, and partnership that have been built between our two air services over many years,” Morita said.

The Japanese air chief also praised the IAF’s training environment and said the sortie helped him appreciate the value that Exercise Veer Guardian offered the JASDF.

Japanese fighters make debut

Veer Guardian-2026 has also marked the first deployment of JASDF fighter aircraft to India. Japanese F-2A fighters are operating from Indian soil for the first time as part of the bilateral exercise.

The 14-day drill began at Air Force Station Jodhpur on September 9 and will conclude on September 22. The IAF has deployed a mix of frontline combat aircraft, including the LCA Tejas, Rafale and Su-30MKI, while Japan is participating with its F-2A fighters. The exercise involves advanced operational missions as well as professional exchanges covering mission planning, engineering and aerospace safety.

‘Great milestone’

Air Chief Marshal Singh described the maiden deployment of Japanese fighters in India as a major milestone in the defence relationship between the two countries.

He said joint exercises allowed personnel from the two air forces to fly and train together, learn from each other’s operational practices and improve their capabilities. Singh described the relationship between the two air forces through the Japanese word “Kizuna”, referring to an enduring bond strengthened through shared experiences, mutual respect and cooperation.

The IAF chief also said Morita’s willingness to fly in the homegrown fighter reflected the trust placed in the aircraft.

Defence ties deepen

Veer Guardian-2026 is the second bilateral fighter exercise between the IAF and JASDF. The two air forces have steadily expanded their engagement since Shinyuu Maitri, their bilateral air transport exercise first held in India in 2018. The latest exercise follows the first deployment of Indian fighter aircraft to Japan three years ago. Morita said India-Japan air force cooperation had progressed beyond conducting exercises to increasingly sophisticated training and practical operational cooperation.

Both air chiefs also highlighted their countries’ shared vision of a free, open and rule-based Indo-Pacific and said closer cooperation between the two air forces would contribute to regional peace and stability.