The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct Veer Guardian 23 fighter training. The mission is to increase the JASDF’s tactical capabilities, enable soldiers to better understand one another, and make it simpler for air forces to cooperate with one another on defense, according to the JASDF website on December 22, 2022.

During the tactical training, both Japanese F-15s (made in the US) and Indian SU-35s (made in Russia) will take part in this one-of-a-kind combat aviation exercise.

JASDF deployed four F-2s from the 7th Air Wing (Hyakuri) and four F-15s from the Air Tactics Development Wing (Komatsu) and the Central Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (Iruma).

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On the other side, the Indian Air Force will send around 150 personnel as well as four Su-30MKI fighters from No. 220 Western Air Command and two C-17s from No. 81 Western Air Command (only to assist with transportation during deployment and withdrawal).

Practice dates begin on January 16 and end on January 26, 2023, with IAF aircraft deployed on January 10 and withdrawn on January 27.

Hyakuri Air Base and its surrounding airspace, as well as Iruma Air Base, will be used for the tactical training.

The following Indian Air Force aircraft will fly to support aerial refueling for IAF fighters with one unit of IL-78 aerial refueling tankers from No. 78 Squadron, Central Air Command.

*Cover image: F-15 JASDF Fighter (Japan Ministry of Defense).