8 September 2026·PIB

AIR DEFENCE EXERCISE WITH JASDF: EX VEER GUARDIAN-2026

In this note

1. At a Glance

Ex Veer Guardian is a bilateral air combat/air defence exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF), the only such bilateral fighter exercise India conducts with Japan. [1][2]
The 2026 edition is referenced in a dedicated PIB press release (PRID 2307890), confirming continuation of the series into its second edition. [3]
Relevant for UPSC as it sits at the intersection of India-Japan strategic partnership, Indo-Pacific security architecture, and IAF modernization/interoperability themes tested in GS-II (International Relations) and GS-III (Internal Security/Defence).

PIB issued a press release (PRID 2307890) on the Ex Veer Guardian-2026 air defence exercise between IAF and JASDF. [3]
This follows the inaugural Veer Guardian 2023, making the 2026 edition the exercise's continuation/second iteration in the bilateral series. [1][2]

Veer Guardian 2023 was the inaugural edition of this bilateral air exercise, held in Japan, and concluded on 26 January 2023. [1][2]
It marked the first-ever bilateral fighter exercise between the IAF and JASDF. [2]
In the 2023 edition, JASDF fielded F-2 and F-15 fighters; IAF fielded Su-30 MKI fighters. [2]
Training in 2023 spanned 16 days and included air combat manoeuvring, interception, and air defence missions in both Visual Range (VR) and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) settings. [2]
The series fits within the broader India-Japan defence cooperation framework, alongside other India-Japan exercises such as Dharma Guardian (Army) and JIMEX (Navy). [4]

Aspect	Detail
Exercise name	Ex Veer Guardian
Participating air forces	Indian Air Force (IAF); Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF)
Nodal ministry	Ministry of Defence (India)
Inaugural edition	2023, held in Japan, concluded 26 Jan 2023 [1][2]
Current edition	Veer Guardian-2026 (PIB PRID 2307890) [3]
2023 IAF aircraft	Su-30 MKI [2]
2023 JASDF aircraft	F-2, F-15 [2]
2023 duration	16 days [2]
Focus areas (2023)	Air combat manoeuvring, interception, air defence missions, VR and BVR ops [2]

Geopolitical / Strategic

Reflects deepening India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, complementing the Quad framework in the Indo-Pacific.
Signals interoperability-building with a key Indo-Pacific partner amid shared concerns over China's regional assertiveness.

Scientific / Technological

Exposes IAF pilots to Japanese 4th/5th-generation-adjacent platforms (F-2, F-15) and doctrine, aiding cross-learning in BVR combat and network-centric air operations. [2]

Administrative

Reciprocal hosting pattern (Japan hosted 2023; India reportedly hosts a later edition), testing logistics of foreign fighter deployment on Indian soil.

Historical

Part of a post-2010s trend of India expanding bilateral tri-service exercises beyond traditional partners (US, Russia, France) to include Japan, Australia, and ASEAN states.

PIB press release on Ex Veer Guardian-2026 issued, confirming the exercise's continuation. [3]
(Note: Operational specifics of the 2026 edition — exact dates, host location, aircraft deployed — are reported in non-whitelisted media but are not independently verified here against a Tier-1/2 source beyond the PIB reference confirming the exercise's existence; aspirants should verify current-year specifics against the original PIB release before the exam.)

Veer Guardian is a bilateral (not multilateral) IAF-JASDF exercise. [1]
Veer Guardian 2023 was the exercise's inaugural edition. [2]
2023 edition concluded on 26 January 2023. [2]
2023 edition was hosted in Japan. [1][2]
IAF flew Su-30 MKI in the 2023 edition. [2]
JASDF flew F-2 and F-15 aircraft in the 2023 edition. [2]
2023 training lasted 16 days. [2]
Focus of drills: air combat manoeuvring, interception, air defence, VR and BVR scenarios. [2]
JASDF = Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Japan's air branch under its Ministry of Defense (distinct from a full "air force" due to Japan's constitutional Self-Defense Forces framework).
Do not confuse Veer Guardian (IAF-JASDF air exercise) with Dharma Guardian (India-Japan Army exercise) or JIMEX (India-Japan Navy exercise). [4]

Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) — the larger strategic framework India-Japan cooperation feeds into.
Dharma Guardian — India-Japan Army joint exercise, useful for contrast.
JIMEX — India-Japan Navy exercise, completes the tri-service India-Japan exercise picture.
Malabar Exercise — trilateral/Quad naval exercise involving Japan, US, India, Australia.
India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue — the political-strategic layer above these military exercises.
Su-30 MKI — IAF's frontline fighter frequently featured in bilateral exercises; useful for defence-platform static facts.
Act East Policy — broader policy umbrella linking India's Indo-Pacific defence diplomacy.

Confusing Veer Guardian (Air Force) with Dharma Guardian (Army) — different services, different partners' branch.
Assuming Veer Guardian is multilateral — it is strictly bilateral (IAF-JASDF only).
Misremembering the inaugural year — it began in 2023, not earlier.
Assuming JASDF is called "Japan Air Force" — the correct constitutional term is Japan Air Self-Defence Force, reflecting Japan's Self-Defense Forces structure under Article 9.
Treating every year's edition as identical in host country/aircraft — hosting alternates and platform details change edition to edition; always verify current-year specifics rather than assuming 2023 details carry over.