Embassy of India

Tokyo

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Press Release

Subject: Veer Guardian 2023

          To promote air defence cooperation between the two countries, India and Japan are set to hold their first joint Air Exercise, 'Veer Guardian-2023' which will involve the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) fighter aircrafts at Hyakuri Air Base from 12 January 2023 to 26 January 2023. The Indian contingent participating in the air exercise will include four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 & one IL-78 aircraft, while the JASDF will be participating with four F-2 & four F-15 aircraft.

During the second 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting held in Tokyo in September 2022, India and Japan agreed to step up bilateral defence cooperation and engage in more military exercises. Veer Guardian 2023 will be the first bilateral fighter aircraft exercise between the IAF and JASDF. Ambassador accompanied by senior officers of the Embassy of India in Japan will visit the contingent on its arrival at Hyakuri airbase on January 10.

The inaugural fighter aircraft exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces. They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment. Exercise 'Veer Guardian' will fortify the long standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces.