Japanese airmen participating in the bilateral combat exercise Veer Guardian 2026 in Jodhpur have praised Indian Air Force personnel as “very approachable” while sharing their experiences of joint training, yoga and Indian food.
The bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is underway at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur and will continue until September 22.
The IAF welcomed Japanese F-2 fighter jets and 110 JASDF personnel on September 8 for the exercise, which includes joint air defence drills.
Japanese Airmen Say Skills Are Improving
Members of the Japanese contingent from Tsuiki Air Base spoke about their experience in India in an interview shared on X by the JASDF’s Tsuiki Air Base account.
Discussing the training, the Japanese personnel said they could “feel their skills steadily improving”.
They explained that training alongside fighter aircraft not operated by the JASDF was helping them understand the characteristics of different aircraft.
“By training directly with fighter aircraft that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force doesn’t possess, we’re able to understand their characteristics and so on,” the airmen said.
The Japanese contingent also praised their interaction with IAF personnel.
“The Indian military personnel are very approachable, and we’re able to communicate closely with them,” they said.
The airmen added that they would continue training until the exercise concludes.
‘Yoga’ Leaves Japanese Contingent Impressed
The Japanese personnel were also asked what had left an impression on them apart from the military training.
Their answer was “Yoga.”
For one of the airmen, the experience was a first, as they tried yoga in what they described as its home country.
“It was my first time experiencing it in its home country, but my body was so stiff that I couldn’t even do the standard poses,” the airman said.
Japanese Airmen Call Indian Curry ‘Super Delicious’
Indian food also featured prominently in the Japanese contingent’s experience.
Asked whether Indian curry was as delicious as they had expected, the response was enthusiastic.
“The real deal really is different. It’s super delicious,” the airmen said.
Japan-India Defence Cooperation
The exercise marks an important step in the expanding defence engagement between India and Japan.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi said the visit marked the first time JASDF fighter aircraft had travelled to India. He noted that it followed the IAF’s first fighter aircraft visit to Japan three years ago, completing a reciprocal exchange of fighter aircraft visits.
Koizumi also said the exercise was an important initiative reflecting the deepening of Japan-India defence cooperation.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the maiden visit of JASDF fighter aircraft to India as a “significant milestone” for the bilateral defence partnership.
Singh said the deployment reflected growing trust and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
IAF Highlights Interoperability
The IAF has also highlighted the operational objective of Veer Guardian 2026, saying the exercise is aimed at strengthening interoperability and sharpening the skills of personnel from both air forces.
The joint drills in Jodhpur are expected to provide the participating forces an opportunity to train together and gain experience in operating alongside each other’s fighter aircraft.
The exercise will continue until September 22.
