Exercise Veer Guardian-2026: IAF-JASDF Air Exercise Begins at Jodhpur

The bilateral air exercise "Veer Guardian-2026" between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) began on 9 September 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur and will run for 14 days, until 22 September 2026. The IAF is fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighters against JASDF's F-2A aircraft. The exercise deepens India-Japan defence cooperation and is important for Prelims (aircraft, dates) and Mains (India's "Act East" and Indo-Pacific defence partnerships).

What Happened

Exercise "Veer Guardian-2026," a bilateral air combat exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, began on 9 September 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The Ministry of Defence's press release describes the exercise as aiming to "undertake advanced operational missions" between the two air forces.

When & Where

The exercise runs for 14 days, from 9 September 2026 to 22 September 2026, at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is a key western-sector IAF base, and hosting an exercise with a major Indo-Pacific partner there underlines the growing geographic spread of India's bilateral defence exercises beyond its immediate neighbourhood partners.

Who Is Involved

Indian Air Force (IAF) — fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighter aircraft.
Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) — fielding F-2A fighter aircraft.
Ministry of Defence, Government of India — issued the official press release announcing the exercise.

How It Works

The two air forces conduct joint mission planning conferences before actual flying exercises.
Fighter aircraft from both sides fly joint sorties to practise "advanced operational missions" together.
Subject-matter experts from both air forces exchange knowledge on engineering and aerospace safety matters.
Personnel-to-personnel interactions run throughout the 14-day exercise, alongside the flying programme, to build long-term familiarity between the two forces.

Why It Matters

Strategic angle: The exercise reflects deepening India-Japan strategic ties, both bilaterally and within the wider Indo-Pacific security framework.
Military angle: Joint exercises with advanced air forces like JASDF help the IAF test interoperability of its indigenous (Tejas) and imported (Su-30 MKI, Rafale) fleets against different aircraft types.
Diplomatic angle: Holding the exercise on Indian soil, at an IAF base, signals reciprocity in a defence relationship that began with India deploying to Japan in 2023.
Relevant to UPSC GS Paper 3 (defence and security) and GS Paper 2 (India's bilateral relations and Indo-Pacific engagement).

Historical Background

The first-ever bilateral air exercise between the IAF and JASDF, "Veer Guardian 2023," was held in Japan at Hyakuri Air Base from 12 to 26 January 2023.
In that edition, the IAF sent four Su-30 MKI fighters, two C-17 transport aircraft and one IL-78 tanker, while Japan fielded F-2 and F-15 fighters.
Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi led the Indian contingent in 2023, becoming the first woman fighter pilot to lead an IAF squadron in a bilateral exercise with a foreign air force.

Previous Related Events

12-26 January 2023: Maiden edition, "Veer Guardian 2023," held in Japan at Hyakuri Air Base.
September 2026 (days before this exercise): JASDF F-2 aircraft and personnel arrived in India ahead of Veer Guardian-2026, as reported by ANI.
India and Japan have separately expanded defence cooperation in 2026 through other bilateral mechanisms, including maritime security engagement, reflecting a broader trend of deepening India-Japan defence ties across domains.

Static GK Connection

Act East Policy: India's policy framework for deepening engagement with East and Southeast Asian countries, including Japan, in the economic and strategic domains.
Indo-Pacific: the maritime and strategic region spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where India-Japan defence cooperation is a key pillar alongside frameworks such as the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia).
Air Force Station Jodhpur: a key IAF base in the Western Air Command, in Rajasthan.

India & World Comparison

India conducts bilateral air exercises with a range of partners, including the US (Cope India), UK, and France, alongside Japan (Veer Guardian). Compared to some of these longer-running series, the India-Japan air exercise is relatively young, having started only in January 2023, reflecting how recently India-Japan defence-air cooperation has deepened compared to India's older defence partnerships.

Future Impact

The 14-day exercise, running to 22 September 2026, is expected to further improve operational synergy between the IAF and JASDF.
Continued alternating-venue exercises (Japan in 2023, India in 2026) are likely to become a regular feature of the India-Japan defence calendar.
Deeper interoperability built through such exercises can feed into wider Indo-Pacific security cooperation involving India, Japan and other partners.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 began 9 September 2026, ends 22 September 2026 (14 days).
Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Participants: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).
IAF aircraft: LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, Rafale.
JASDF aircraft: F-2A.
Official source: Ministry of Defence press release via PIB.
Exercise includes mission planning conferences and SME exchanges on engineering/aerospace safety.
First edition, "Veer Guardian 2023," held in Japan, 12-26 January 2023.
2023 venue: Hyakuri Air Base, Japan.
2023 IAF assets: four Su-30 MKI, two C-17, one IL-78 tanker.
Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi led India's 2023 contingent — first woman fighter pilot to lead an IAF squadron in a bilateral exercise abroad.
The exercise is part of India's wider Indo-Pacific and Act East defence engagement.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: India's bilateral and multilateral defence exercises

Definition: Joint military exercises where India's armed forces train alongside a partner country's forces to build interoperability and strategic trust.
Nodal Ministry/Body: Ministry of Defence, Government of India, along with the respective service headquarters (here, IAF).
Link to this event: Veer Guardian-2026 is the second edition of the IAF-JASDF bilateral air exercise, this time hosted in India.
Origin & History: The India-Japan bilateral air exercise series began in January 2023 in Japan.
Key milestone 1: January 2023 — maiden "Veer Guardian 2023" held in Japan.
Key milestone 2: September 2026 — "Veer Guardian-2026" held in India for the first time, at Jodhpur.
Related exercises: India conducts similar bilateral air exercises with other partners such as the US (Cope India) and France, and multilateral exercises such as Garuda Shakti-type formats with other countries.
Nodal aircraft platforms: LCA Tejas (indigenous), Su-30 MKI and Rafale (IAF); F-2A (JASDF).
India-specific relevance: Demonstrates the operational maturity of India's mixed fighter fleet (indigenous plus imported platforms) in a bilateral setting.
Global comparison: Japan also conducts similar bilateral air exercises with the US and Australia as part of its own alliance and partnership network.
Common exam angle: Exam questions typically test the exercise name, host country/base, participating aircraft, and the year of the first edition.
Easy memory hook: "Guardian in Japan first (2023), Guardian in India next (2026)" — remember the venues alternate.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Where is Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 being held? [Easy]

A) Air Force Station Jodhpur

B) Air Force Station Pune

C) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan

D) Air Force Station Halwara

Answer: A

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Q2. Which two air forces are participating in Exercise Veer Guardian-2026? [Easy]

A) Indian Air Force and US Air Force

B) Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defence Force

C) Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force

D) Indian Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force

Answer: B

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral exercise between the IAF and Japan's Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).

Q3. For how many days does Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 run? [Moderate]

A) 7 days

B) 10 days

C) 14 days

D) 21 days

Answer: C

Explanation: The exercise runs for 14 days, from 9 to 22 September 2026.

Q4. Which JASDF fighter aircraft is participating in Veer Guardian-2026? [Moderate]

A) F-15

B) F-2A

C) F-35

D) Mitsubishi F-1

Answer: B

Explanation: JASDF is fielding F-2A fighter aircraft in this edition; the IAF fields LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale.

Q5. Who led the Indian contingent in the maiden "Veer Guardian 2023" exercise? [Moderate]

A) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman

B) Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi

C) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

D) Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth

Answer: B

Explanation: Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi led the Indian contingent in 2023, the first time a woman fighter pilot led an IAF squadron in a bilateral exercise with a foreign partner.

Q6. Where was the first-ever India-Japan bilateral air exercise held, and in which year? [Tricky]

A) Jodhpur, India, in 2023

B) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, in 2023

C) Okinawa, Japan, in 2026

D) Jodhpur, India, in 2020

Answer: B

Explanation: The maiden edition, "Veer Guardian 2023," was held at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan from 12 to 26 January 2023 — not in India, and not in 2026 (which is the second/current edition, hosted in India).

Q7. Which of the following aircraft did the IAF NOT send to the 2023 edition of Veer Guardian? [Tricky]

A) Su-30 MKI

B) C-17

C) IL-78 tanker

D) Rafale

Answer: D

Explanation: In 2023, the IAF fielded Su-30 MKI fighters, C-17 transport aircraft and an IL-78 tanker; Rafale is being fielded only in the 2026 edition, alongside Tejas and Su-30 MKI.

Q8. Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is best understood as part of India's broader engagement with which strategic framework? [Tricky]

A) SAARC

B) Indo-Pacific security cooperation

C) African Union defence dialogue

D) OPEC energy security dialogue

Answer: B

Explanation: The India-Japan air exercise sits within India's wider Indo-Pacific defence engagement, alongside frameworks such as the Quad.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral air exercise between India and which country?

A) Japan

B) South Korea

C) Australia

D) France

Answer: A

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 is between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding Exercise Veer Guardian-2026:

It is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
It is the first-ever bilateral air exercise between India and Japan.
The exercise runs for 14 days.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: A

Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect — the first-ever edition was "Veer Guardian 2023," held in Japan; the 2026 edition is the second one, and the first held on Indian soil.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 reflects a deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.

Reason (R): The exercise is the first bilateral air exercise ever conducted between the IAF and JASDF.

Codes:

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

Answer: C

Explanation: Assertion A is true (the Ministry of Defence release itself describes it this way), but Reason R is false — the maiden edition was "Veer Guardian 2023" in Japan; the 2026 edition is the second, not the first.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 for India-Japan defence cooperation.

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026, held from 9 to 22 September 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, is only the second edition of the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan's Air Self-Defence Force, following the maiden edition held in Japan in January 2023. Hosting the exercise on Indian soil this time signals a maturing, reciprocal defence relationship rather than a one-off engagement. With the IAF fielding its mixed fleet of indigenous Tejas and imported Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighters against JASDF's F-2A aircraft, the exercise builds genuine interoperability between two of the Indo-Pacific's more capable air forces. This complements India's wider Indo-Pacific strategic posture, alongside frameworks such as the Quad, and reinforces Japan's position as one of India's most active defence partners in East Asia.

Question 2 (250 words): Examine how bilateral air exercises such as Veer Guardian contribute to India's Indo-Pacific defence strategy.

India's defence engagement with Indo-Pacific partners has moved beyond diplomatic statements into regular, hands-on military exercises, of which the India-Japan air exercise "Veer Guardian" is a clear example. The series began in January 2023 with "Veer Guardian 2023," held at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan, where the IAF deployed Su-30 MKI fighters alongside C-17 and IL-78 support aircraft. The 2026 edition, "Veer Guardian-2026," held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 9 to 22 September 2026, reverses the venue, with the IAF fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighters against JASDF's F-2A aircraft over 14 days of joint flying, mission-planning conferences and expert exchanges. Politically, alternating host countries builds a sense of parity in the relationship rather than one side appearing to "train" the other. Militarily, exposing IAF pilots and JASDF pilots to each other's tactics, aircraft handling and safety protocols builds genuine interoperability that would matter in any future joint or coordinated operation, including in humanitarian or maritime-security contingencies in the wider Indo-Pacific. Strategically, this fits within India's broader engagement with Japan across the Quad and bilateral channels, at a time when both countries share concerns about stability in the Indo-Pacific. Continued, regularised exercises of this kind — rather than one-off displays — are what convert diplomatic partnership into operational readiness, and Veer Guardian's move from a single 2023 edition to a planned recurring series is a marker of that shift.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students confuse the maiden edition's venue with the 2026 edition's venue. The correct fact is that "Veer Guardian 2023" was held in Japan (Hyakuri Air Base), while "Veer Guardian-2026" is being held in India (Air Force Station Jodhpur) — the venues alternate, they are not the same.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that the IAF fields the same aircraft in every edition. The reality is that the IAF sent Su-30 MKI, C-17 and IL-78 in 2023, but is fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale (no C-17/IL-78 mentioned) in the 2026 edition — the aircraft mix has changed.
Trap 3: Many students miss that this is only the second edition of the India-Japan bilateral air exercise, not a long-running annual series like some other Indian bilateral exercises. Always remember it began only in 2023.

🧭 Exam Tip

Prelims examiners like to test exercise names against partner countries and aircraft types — make a quick two-column list of "exercise name → partner country" for revision, and slot Veer Guardian (Japan) into it clearly. Mains examiners will use this as an example of India's growing Indo-Pacific defence footprint and reciprocal (not one-sided) defence diplomacy. In interviews, candidates may be asked to name India's key defence partners in the Indo-Pacific beyond the Quad members — Japan-specific exercises like Veer Guardian and Malabar are good examples to keep ready. High-probability prediction: expect a Prelims question distinguishing the 2023 (Japan-hosted) and 2026 (India-hosted) editions of Veer Guardian.

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026: IAF-JASDF Air Exercise Begins at Jodhpur

What Happened

When & Where

Who Is Involved

Indian Air Force (IAF) — fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighter aircraft.
Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) — fielding F-2A fighter aircraft.
Ministry of Defence, Government of India — issued the official press release announcing the exercise.

How It Works

The two air forces conduct joint mission planning conferences before actual flying exercises.
Fighter aircraft from both sides fly joint sorties to practise "advanced operational missions" together.
Subject-matter experts from both air forces exchange knowledge on engineering and aerospace safety matters.
Personnel-to-personnel interactions run throughout the 14-day exercise, alongside the flying programme, to build long-term familiarity between the two forces.

Why It Matters

Strategic angle: The exercise reflects deepening India-Japan strategic ties, both bilaterally and within the wider Indo-Pacific security framework.
Military angle: Joint exercises with advanced air forces like JASDF help the IAF test interoperability of its indigenous (Tejas) and imported (Su-30 MKI, Rafale) fleets against different aircraft types.
Diplomatic angle: Holding the exercise on Indian soil, at an IAF base, signals reciprocity in a defence relationship that began with India deploying to Japan in 2023.
Relevant to UPSC GS Paper 3 (defence and security) and GS Paper 2 (India's bilateral relations and Indo-Pacific engagement).

Historical Background

The first-ever bilateral air exercise between the IAF and JASDF, "Veer Guardian 2023," was held in Japan at Hyakuri Air Base from 12 to 26 January 2023.
In that edition, the IAF sent four Su-30 MKI fighters, two C-17 transport aircraft and one IL-78 tanker, while Japan fielded F-2 and F-15 fighters.
Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi led the Indian contingent in 2023, becoming the first woman fighter pilot to lead an IAF squadron in a bilateral exercise with a foreign air force.

Previous Related Events

12-26 January 2023: Maiden edition, "Veer Guardian 2023," held in Japan at Hyakuri Air Base.
September 2026 (days before this exercise): JASDF F-2 aircraft and personnel arrived in India ahead of Veer Guardian-2026, as reported by ANI.
India and Japan have separately expanded defence cooperation in 2026 through other bilateral mechanisms, including maritime security engagement, reflecting a broader trend of deepening India-Japan defence ties across domains.

Static GK Connection

Act East Policy: India's policy framework for deepening engagement with East and Southeast Asian countries, including Japan, in the economic and strategic domains.
Indo-Pacific: the maritime and strategic region spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where India-Japan defence cooperation is a key pillar alongside frameworks such as the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia).
Air Force Station Jodhpur: a key IAF base in the Western Air Command, in Rajasthan.

India & World Comparison

Future Impact

The 14-day exercise, running to 22 September 2026, is expected to further improve operational synergy between the IAF and JASDF.
Continued alternating-venue exercises (Japan in 2023, India in 2026) are likely to become a regular feature of the India-Japan defence calendar.
Deeper interoperability built through such exercises can feed into wider Indo-Pacific security cooperation involving India, Japan and other partners.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 began 9 September 2026, ends 22 September 2026 (14 days).
Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Participants: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).
IAF aircraft: LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, Rafale.
JASDF aircraft: F-2A.
Official source: Ministry of Defence press release via PIB.
Exercise includes mission planning conferences and SME exchanges on engineering/aerospace safety.
First edition, "Veer Guardian 2023," held in Japan, 12-26 January 2023.
2023 venue: Hyakuri Air Base, Japan.
2023 IAF assets: four Su-30 MKI, two C-17, one IL-78 tanker.
Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi led India's 2023 contingent — first woman fighter pilot to lead an IAF squadron in a bilateral exercise abroad.
The exercise is part of India's wider Indo-Pacific and Act East defence engagement.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: India's bilateral and multilateral defence exercises

Definition: Joint military exercises where India's armed forces train alongside a partner country's forces to build interoperability and strategic trust.
Nodal Ministry/Body: Ministry of Defence, Government of India, along with the respective service headquarters (here, IAF).
Link to this event: Veer Guardian-2026 is the second edition of the IAF-JASDF bilateral air exercise, this time hosted in India.
Origin & History: The India-Japan bilateral air exercise series began in January 2023 in Japan.
Key milestone 1: January 2023 — maiden "Veer Guardian 2023" held in Japan.
Key milestone 2: September 2026 — "Veer Guardian-2026" held in India for the first time, at Jodhpur.
Related exercises: India conducts similar bilateral air exercises with other partners such as the US (Cope India) and France, and multilateral exercises such as Garuda Shakti-type formats with other countries.
Nodal aircraft platforms: LCA Tejas (indigenous), Su-30 MKI and Rafale (IAF); F-2A (JASDF).
India-specific relevance: Demonstrates the operational maturity of India's mixed fighter fleet (indigenous plus imported platforms) in a bilateral setting.
Global comparison: Japan also conducts similar bilateral air exercises with the US and Australia as part of its own alliance and partnership network.
Common exam angle: Exam questions typically test the exercise name, host country/base, participating aircraft, and the year of the first edition.
Easy memory hook: "Guardian in Japan first (2023), Guardian in India next (2026)" — remember the venues alternate.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Where is Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 being held? [Easy]

A) Air Force Station Jodhpur

B) Air Force Station Pune

C) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan

D) Air Force Station Halwara

Answer: A

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Q2. Which two air forces are participating in Exercise Veer Guardian-2026? [Easy]

A) Indian Air Force and US Air Force

B) Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defence Force

C) Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force

D) Indian Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force

Answer: B

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral exercise between the IAF and Japan's Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).

Q3. For how many days does Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 run? [Moderate]

A) 7 days

B) 10 days

C) 14 days

D) 21 days

Answer: C

Explanation: The exercise runs for 14 days, from 9 to 22 September 2026.

Q4. Which JASDF fighter aircraft is participating in Veer Guardian-2026? [Moderate]

A) F-15

B) F-2A

C) F-35

D) Mitsubishi F-1

Answer: B

Explanation: JASDF is fielding F-2A fighter aircraft in this edition; the IAF fields LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale.

Q5. Who led the Indian contingent in the maiden "Veer Guardian 2023" exercise? [Moderate]

A) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman

B) Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi

C) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

D) Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth

Answer: B

Explanation: Squadron Leader Avni Chaturvedi led the Indian contingent in 2023, the first time a woman fighter pilot led an IAF squadron in a bilateral exercise with a foreign partner.

Q6. Where was the first-ever India-Japan bilateral air exercise held, and in which year? [Tricky]

A) Jodhpur, India, in 2023

B) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, in 2023

C) Okinawa, Japan, in 2026

D) Jodhpur, India, in 2020

Answer: B

Q7. Which of the following aircraft did the IAF NOT send to the 2023 edition of Veer Guardian? [Tricky]

A) Su-30 MKI

B) C-17

C) IL-78 tanker

D) Rafale

Answer: D

Explanation: In 2023, the IAF fielded Su-30 MKI fighters, C-17 transport aircraft and an IL-78 tanker; Rafale is being fielded only in the 2026 edition, alongside Tejas and Su-30 MKI.

Q8. Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is best understood as part of India's broader engagement with which strategic framework? [Tricky]

A) SAARC

B) Indo-Pacific security cooperation

C) African Union defence dialogue

D) OPEC energy security dialogue

Answer: B

Explanation: The India-Japan air exercise sits within India's wider Indo-Pacific defence engagement, alongside frameworks such as the Quad.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral air exercise between India and which country?

A) Japan

B) South Korea

C) Australia

D) France

Answer: A

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 is between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding Exercise Veer Guardian-2026:

It is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
It is the first-ever bilateral air exercise between India and Japan.
The exercise runs for 14 days.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: A

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 reflects a deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.

Reason (R): The exercise is the first bilateral air exercise ever conducted between the IAF and JASDF.

Codes:

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

Answer: C

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 for India-Japan defence cooperation.

Question 2 (250 words): Examine how bilateral air exercises such as Veer Guardian contribute to India's Indo-Pacific defence strategy.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students confuse the maiden edition's venue with the 2026 edition's venue. The correct fact is that "Veer Guardian 2023" was held in Japan (Hyakuri Air Base), while "Veer Guardian-2026" is being held in India (Air Force Station Jodhpur) — the venues alternate, they are not the same.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that the IAF fields the same aircraft in every edition. The reality is that the IAF sent Su-30 MKI, C-17 and IL-78 in 2023, but is fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale (no C-17/IL-78 mentioned) in the 2026 edition — the aircraft mix has changed.
Trap 3: Many students miss that this is only the second edition of the India-Japan bilateral air exercise, not a long-running annual series like some other Indian bilateral exercises. Always remember it began only in 2023.