Japan Air Force chief flies LCA Tejas during Veer Guardian 2026, calls it symbol of India’s technological innovation

India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas received praise from Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) Chief General Takehiro Morita on Sunday after he flew the fighter jet during the bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian-2026 in Rajasthan.

Calling the aircraft a symbol of India’s technological capabilities and Make in India programme, Morita said his flight aboard the Tejas offered him a first-hand look at the country's indigenous defence ecosystem.

The Japanese Air Force chief and Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh flew Tejas aircraft from Air Force Station Jodhpur earlier in the day, in a high-level operational interaction between the two air forces.


"It is a privilege to be with you today, and I would like to show my appreciation for your warm welcome and hospitality. I am grateful for the invaluable opportunity to fly on the Tejas. As an aircraft born from indigenous defence capabilities, Tejas stands as a symbol of India's technological innovation and embodies the Make in India initiative," General Morita said in a joint statement after the drill.

Morita said the sortie also made him reflect on the work that went into developing the indigenous fighter.

"While flying, I found myself reflecting on the efforts of many people, both in the military and industry, who contributed to its development," he added.

The JASDF chief also praised the Indian Air Force's training environment, saying the experience demonstrated the value of the bilateral exercise for Japanese personnel.

"Through this experience on board, I gained a first-hand appreciation of the outstanding training environment available to the Indian Air Force and the tremendous value that this exercise provides to the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Koku-Jieitai," he said.

The sortie comes during Veer Guardian-2026, the second bilateral fighter exercise between the Indian and Japanese air forces. This edition also marks the first deployment of JASDF fighter aircraft to India.

"Veer Guardian is the second bilateral fighter exercise between our services. More importantly, it marks the first-ever deployment of Koku-Jieitai fighters to India," General Morita said.

The exercise is another step in the expansion of India-Japan defence cooperation, which includes the Shinyuu Maitri bilateral exercise that began in 2018.

Morita said deploying Japanese fighter aircraft to India had been a long-standing aspiration, particularly after Indian Air Force fighters travelled to Japan three years ago.

"We believe that advanced training deepens mutual understanding, strengthens trust, and enhances practical cooperation. It was with this belief in mind that we have finally made it a reality together to bring our defence cooperation to a new stage," he said.

Tejas, Rafale and Su-30MKI join drills

Veer Guardian-2026 brings together frontline combat aircraft from both countries for advanced operational training and professional exchanges.

The Indian Air Force has deployed a mix of fighters including the indigenous Tejas, Rafale and Su-30MKI. Japan is participating with its F-2A fighter aircraft.

Morita said cooperation between the two air forces had evolved beyond simply conducting exercises and was increasingly focused on developing tactical capabilities.

"Our partnership has progressed beyond simply conducting exercises together to refining our tactical capabilities at a practical level. Through increasingly sophisticated training, our two air services have advanced our cooperation," he said.

The two countries see such military exercises as contributing to greater operational coordination and supporting regional peace and stability.

The exercise also comes against the backdrop of the wider India-Japan strategic partnership and their shared emphasis on a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"Japan and India share that common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and we are bound together by the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership. As the strategic environment surrounding our countries becomes increasingly complex, the importance of closer defence cooperation continues to grow," Morita said.

The JASDF chief also pointed to recent political and defence engagements between New Delhi and Tokyo, including the Japan-India summit and defence ministerial meeting held in India.

"Building on this strong support and commitment at the political level, Japan and India are advancing practical cooperation in ways that create greater synergy between our efforts and contribute to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

Morita said the increasing complexity of the bilateral air exercises reflected how defence relations between India and Japan had evolved.

"The sophistication of our bilateral exercises reflects both the maturity of our partnership and our shared commitment to peace and stability in the region," he said.

The 14-day Veer Guardian exercise began after JASDF F-2 fighter aircraft arrived in India on September 8. Air personnel from the two countries are conducting advanced operational missions and professional interactions during the drills.

The LCA Tejas is a 4.5-generation, all-weather, multi-role fighter designed for missions including offensive air support, close combat and ground attack operations, as well as ground and maritime missions.

Veer Guardian-2026 gives the two air forces an opportunity to train together with frontline fighters while building operational understanding and expanding defence cooperation between India and Japan.