Japanese pilots praise Indian hosts and cuisine during Veer Guardian 2026 drills

From September 8, the Indian Air Force hosted a contingent of 110 Japan Air Self-Defense Force members, including F-2 fighter jets, for the bilateral exercise Veer Guardian 2026 at Jodhpur. Japanese airmen reported that working directly with aircraft not in their own fleet helped them understand new capabilities and steadily improve their skills. They praised the Indian personnel for being easy to approach and facilitating close communication.

Outside the cockpit, the crew tried yoga for the first time in its native setting and described the local curry as “super delicious.” Defence ministers Shinjirō Koizumi and Rajnath Singh highlighted the drill as a milestone in deepening Indo-Japan defence ties.