Veer Guardian-2026: India and Japan Air Chiefs Fly Tejas in Jodhpur

On 20 September 2026, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Japan Air Self-Defence Force Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita flew a formation sortie in the indigenous LCA Tejas at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The sortie took place during Exercise Veer Guardian-2026, the India–Japan bilateral air exercise that concludes on 22 September 2026. The exercise is the second edition of Veer Guardian and the first time Japanese fighter aircraft have operated from Indian soil, making it a high-value item for questions on military exercises and Indo-Pacific security.

What Happened

On 20 September 2026 the chiefs of the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force flew together in a formation sortie aboard the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas at Air Force Station Jodhpur. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh was at the controls and General Takehiro Morita flew as a passenger with an Indian pilot. The sortie was the symbolic high point of Exercise Veer Guardian-2026, the bilateral air exercise between the two air forces.

When & Where

The sortie took place on 20 September 2026. The exercise is being conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan and concludes on 22 September 2026. Jodhpur is a major forward air base in western India, close to the India–Pakistan frontier, and is regularly used for large multi-aircraft exercises.

Who Is Involved

Indian Air Force — host force, fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft.
Japan Air Self-Defence Force — visiting force, fielding F-2A fighter aircraft and C-2 transport aircraft.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh — Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force.
General Takehiro Morita — Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
Rajnath Singh — Union Defence Minister, who described Japan's participation as a significant milestone.

How It Works

The visiting contingent ferries its fighter and transport aircraft to the host base, where ground crews set up maintenance and safety procedures jointly.
Mission planning conferences fix common rules of engagement, radio procedures and safety limits, because the two forces use different aircraft, radars and data links.
Air warriors then fly progressively harder missions, moving from simple formation flying to complex multi-aircraft operational missions.
Subject matter expert exchanges cover engineering, maintenance and aerospace safety, so the learning is not limited to pilots.
Leadership-level sorties, such as the Tejas sortie by the two chiefs, signal political trust and showcase indigenous platforms to a partner air force.

Why It Matters

Strategic: Japanese fighter aircraft operating from Indian soil for the first time deepens the Indo-Pacific security architecture beyond naval cooperation.
Industrial: Flying a foreign air chief in the Tejas is direct promotion of India's indigenous aerospace industry and its export prospects.
Operational: Exposure to a different air force sharpens interoperability, which matters for coalition operations and humanitarian missions.
Diplomatic: Reciprocal fighter deployments are a measurable indicator of maturity in a defence relationship.

Historical Background

India and Japan upgraded their ties to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014, which opened the door to regular defence exchanges. The two countries signed a reciprocal supplies and services agreement in 2020, allowing each other's forces to use one another's logistics facilities. Veer Guardian-2026 is the second edition of the bilateral air exercise, and the current edition breaks new ground because Japanese fighters have come to India for the first time.

Previous Related Events

India and Japan have institutionalised a 2+2 dialogue of their foreign and defence ministers, which repeatedly flagged expanded air force cooperation.
The two navies conduct the bilateral JIMEX exercise, and Japan is a permanent participant in the Malabar naval exercise alongside India, the United States and Australia.
The two armies conduct Exercise Dharma Guardian, focused on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare.

Static GK Connection

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): India, Japan, the United States and Australia; a diplomatic grouping focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.
LCA Tejas: India's indigenous single-engine, multi-role light combat aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016.
Special Strategic and Global Partnership: the highest tier of India's bilateral partnership framework, which India shares with Japan.

India & World Comparison

India runs one of the widest bilateral military exercise networks in Asia, spanning the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Japan, by contrast, has historically restricted overseas deployment of its fighter aircraft because of constitutional limits on the use of force, which is exactly why the 2026 deployment to India is treated as a milestone rather than a routine visit.

Future Impact

The exercise concludes on 22 September 2026, after which both air forces are expected to exchange lessons through structured debriefs.
Reciprocal fighter deployments create a template for future editions to be hosted alternately in India and Japan.
Wider exposure of the Tejas to partner air forces supports India's ambition of becoming a defence exporter.
Deeper air interoperability strengthens the Quad's practical, as opposed to declaratory, security content in the Indo-Pacific.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is an India–Japan bilateral air exercise.
Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The exercise concludes on 22 September 2026.
It is the second edition of Veer Guardian.
Air chiefs of both countries flew a Tejas sortie on 20 September 2026.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh heads the Indian Air Force.
General Takehiro Morita heads the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
Indian aircraft involved: LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI, Rafale.
Japanese aircraft involved: F-2A fighters and C-2 transport aircraft.
First-ever visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India.
Kizuna is the Japanese word for a strong and enduring bond.
India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2014.
The two countries signed a reciprocal supplies and services agreement in 2020.
Other India–Japan exercises: Dharma Guardian (army) and JIMEX (navy).
India, Japan, the United States and Australia form the Quad.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Defence Diplomacy through Joint Military Exercises

Definition: Defence diplomacy is the peacetime use of armed forces — exercises, training, port calls and exchanges — to build trust and influence with partner states.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: The Union Government holds exclusive power over defence and the armed forces under the Union List, and treaty-making power rests with the Union executive.
Scientific / Economic Principle: Interoperability is the core principle — different platforms, radars, radios and data links must be made to work together through common procedures.
Link to this event: Veer Guardian-2026 converts a political partnership into measurable military capability by flying joint missions.
Origin & History: India's modern exercise diplomacy expanded sharply after the Malabar series with the United States began in 1992.
Key milestone 1: India and Japan elevated ties to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014.
Key milestone 2: The two countries signed a reciprocal provision of supplies and services agreement in 2020.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Special Strategic and Global Partnership; the reciprocal supplies and services agreement; the India–Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
Nodal Ministry / Body: Ministry of Defence, with Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff coordinating joint exercises; Ministry of External Affairs handles the diplomatic track.
India-specific relevance: Exercises let India hedge across partners without entering a formal military alliance, preserving strategic autonomy.
Global comparison: Treaty allies such as Japan and the United States conduct standing combined commands; India prefers issue-based, non-binding exercise partnerships.
Common exam angle: Match the exercise name with the partner country and the service arm — the single most repeated question format in this area.
Easy memory hook: "Veer flies, Dharma marches, JIMEX sails" — air, army and navy with Japan.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral air exercise between India and which country? [Easy]

A) Republic of Korea

B) Japan

C) Australia

D) France

Answer: B

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 was conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.

Q2. Where was Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 conducted? [Easy]

A) Air Force Station Jodhpur

B) Air Force Station Kalaikunda

C) Air Force Station Sulur

D) Air Force Station Hindan

Answer: A

Explanation: The exercise was held at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan and concludes on 22 September 2026.

Q3. Which indigenous aircraft did the air chiefs of India and Japan fly together on 20 September 2026? [Moderate]

A) HAL Dhruv

B) HTT-40

C) LCA Tejas

D) HAL Rudra

Answer: C

Explanation: Both chiefs flew a formation sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, with the Indian chief at the controls.

Q4. Which fighter aircraft did the Japan Air Self-Defence Force deploy for Veer Guardian-2026? [Moderate]

A) F-15J

B) F-35A

C) F-2A

D) F-16

Answer: C

Explanation: Japan deployed F-2A fighter aircraft, supported by C-2 transport aircraft, for the Jodhpur exercise.

Q5. The term "Kizuna", used by the Indian Air Force chief during the exercise, means: [Moderate]

A) Rising sun

B) Sea of harmony

C) Warrior spirit

D) A strong and enduring bond

Answer: D

Explanation: Kizuna is a Japanese term for a strong and enduring bond that grows through shared experience and mutual respect.

Q6. Which of the following is correct about Veer Guardian-2026? [Tricky]

A) It was the maiden edition of the exercise

B) It marked the first visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India

C) It was a multilateral exercise of all four Quad members

D) It was hosted at a base in Japan

Answer: B

Explanation: It is the second edition of Veer Guardian, and the first occasion on which Japan Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft operated from India.

Q7. Which of the following is NOT an India–Japan bilateral military exercise? [Tricky]

A) Dharma Guardian

B) JIMEX

C) Veer Guardian

D) Varuna

Answer: D

Explanation: Varuna is the India–France naval exercise; Dharma Guardian, JIMEX and Veer Guardian are all India–Japan exercises.

Q8. The Indian Air Force aircraft that took part in Veer Guardian-2026 were: [Tricky]

A) LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale

B) LCA Tejas, MiG-21 and Jaguar

C) Rafale, Mirage-2000 and LCA Tejas

D) Su-30MKI, LCA Tejas and MiG-29

Answer: A

Explanation: The Indian side fielded LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft for the exercise.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

With reference to India's bilateral military exercises, "Veer Guardian" is conducted between the air forces of India and:

A) Republic of Korea

B) Japan

C) Singapore

D) United Kingdom

Answer: B

Explanation: Veer Guardian is the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements:

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 was conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
The Japan Air Self-Defence Force deployed F-2A fighter aircraft for the exercise.
Veer Guardian-2026 was the maiden edition of the exercise.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because Veer Guardian-2026 was the second edition of the exercise.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 marked the first occasion on which Japan Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft operated from Indian soil.

Reason (R): India and Japan are both members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

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: B

Explanation: Both statements are factually correct, but membership of the Quad is a diplomatic grouping and does not by itself explain the first fighter deployment, which followed from the bilateral exercise schedule.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Bilateral military exercises have become a central instrument of India's defence diplomacy. Discuss with reference to India–Japan air cooperation.

Bilateral exercises are now India's preferred way of converting political partnerships into usable military capability without the binding obligations of an alliance. Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, which concludes on 22 September 2026, illustrates this precisely: the Japan Air Self-Defence Force brought F-2A fighters to India for the first time, while the Indian Air Force fielded LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft.

The value lies in three layers. Operationally, joint mission planning and shared safety procedures build interoperability between forces flying different platforms. Industrially, flying the Japanese air chief in the indigenous Tejas on 20 September 2026 advertises Indian aerospace capability to a technologically advanced partner. Diplomatically, reciprocal fighter deployments are a visible, measurable signal of trust.

India should institutionalise such exchanges with a predictable calendar and deeper technology cooperation, so that each edition adds capability rather than only symbolism.

Question 2 (250 words): Examine the evolution of the India–Japan defence partnership and assess its significance for Indo-Pacific security.

The India–Japan defence relationship has moved in one generation from cautious economic engagement to structured military cooperation. The turning point was the elevation of ties to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014, followed by the reciprocal supplies and services agreement in 2020, which allows each country's forces to draw on the other's logistics.

The architecture today is service-wide. The armies exercise under Dharma Guardian, the navies under JIMEX, and Japan is a permanent participant in the Malabar naval exercise alongside India, the United States and Australia. The air domain was the last to mature, and Veer Guardian-2026 completed that gap: the second edition of the exercise, concluding on 22 September 2026 at Jodhpur, saw Japanese fighter aircraft operate from India for the first time, with the two air chiefs flying a joint Tejas sortie on 20 September 2026.

Strategically this matters because the Indo-Pacific contest is increasingly about access, logistics and interoperability rather than territory. Japan brings advanced technology, capital and treaty-ally networks; India brings geography, a large combat-experienced force and a position astride the Indian Ocean sea lanes. Together they thicken the Quad's practical content.

Challenges remain. Japan's constitutional limits constrain how far it can commit force, India guards its strategic autonomy and its dependence on Russian-origin platforms complicates deep technology sharing, and defence-industrial collaboration has lagged behind exercise diplomacy.

A predictable exercise calendar and joint work on aerospace technology would convert goodwill into durable capability.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students confuse Veer Guardian with Dharma Guardian. The correct fact is that Veer Guardian is the India–Japan air exercise, while Dharma Guardian is the India–Japan army exercise.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that Japan sent F-35 aircraft to Jodhpur. The reality is that Japan deployed F-2A fighter aircraft, supported by C-2 transport aircraft.
Trap 3: Many students miss that Veer Guardian-2026 was the second edition, not the first. Always remember that what happened for the first time was the visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India, not the exercise itself.

Veer Guardian-2026: India and Japan Air Chiefs Fly Tejas in Jodhpur

What Happened

When & Where

Who Is Involved

Indian Air Force — host force, fielding LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft.
Japan Air Self-Defence Force — visiting force, fielding F-2A fighter aircraft and C-2 transport aircraft.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh — Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force.
General Takehiro Morita — Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
Rajnath Singh — Union Defence Minister, who described Japan's participation as a significant milestone.

How It Works

The visiting contingent ferries its fighter and transport aircraft to the host base, where ground crews set up maintenance and safety procedures jointly.
Mission planning conferences fix common rules of engagement, radio procedures and safety limits, because the two forces use different aircraft, radars and data links.
Air warriors then fly progressively harder missions, moving from simple formation flying to complex multi-aircraft operational missions.
Subject matter expert exchanges cover engineering, maintenance and aerospace safety, so the learning is not limited to pilots.
Leadership-level sorties, such as the Tejas sortie by the two chiefs, signal political trust and showcase indigenous platforms to a partner air force.

Why It Matters

Strategic: Japanese fighter aircraft operating from Indian soil for the first time deepens the Indo-Pacific security architecture beyond naval cooperation.
Industrial: Flying a foreign air chief in the Tejas is direct promotion of India's indigenous aerospace industry and its export prospects.
Operational: Exposure to a different air force sharpens interoperability, which matters for coalition operations and humanitarian missions.
Diplomatic: Reciprocal fighter deployments are a measurable indicator of maturity in a defence relationship.

Historical Background

Previous Related Events

India and Japan have institutionalised a 2+2 dialogue of their foreign and defence ministers, which repeatedly flagged expanded air force cooperation.
The two navies conduct the bilateral JIMEX exercise, and Japan is a permanent participant in the Malabar naval exercise alongside India, the United States and Australia.
The two armies conduct Exercise Dharma Guardian, focused on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare.

Static GK Connection

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): India, Japan, the United States and Australia; a diplomatic grouping focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.
LCA Tejas: India's indigenous single-engine, multi-role light combat aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016.
Special Strategic and Global Partnership: the highest tier of India's bilateral partnership framework, which India shares with Japan.

India & World Comparison

Future Impact

The exercise concludes on 22 September 2026, after which both air forces are expected to exchange lessons through structured debriefs.
Reciprocal fighter deployments create a template for future editions to be hosted alternately in India and Japan.
Wider exposure of the Tejas to partner air forces supports India's ambition of becoming a defence exporter.
Deeper air interoperability strengthens the Quad's practical, as opposed to declaratory, security content in the Indo-Pacific.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is an India–Japan bilateral air exercise.
Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The exercise concludes on 22 September 2026.
It is the second edition of Veer Guardian.
Air chiefs of both countries flew a Tejas sortie on 20 September 2026.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh heads the Indian Air Force.
General Takehiro Morita heads the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
Indian aircraft involved: LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI, Rafale.
Japanese aircraft involved: F-2A fighters and C-2 transport aircraft.
First-ever visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India.
Kizuna is the Japanese word for a strong and enduring bond.
India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2014.
The two countries signed a reciprocal supplies and services agreement in 2020.
Other India–Japan exercises: Dharma Guardian (army) and JIMEX (navy).
India, Japan, the United States and Australia form the Quad.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Defence Diplomacy through Joint Military Exercises

Definition: Defence diplomacy is the peacetime use of armed forces — exercises, training, port calls and exchanges — to build trust and influence with partner states.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: The Union Government holds exclusive power over defence and the armed forces under the Union List, and treaty-making power rests with the Union executive.
Scientific / Economic Principle: Interoperability is the core principle — different platforms, radars, radios and data links must be made to work together through common procedures.
Link to this event: Veer Guardian-2026 converts a political partnership into measurable military capability by flying joint missions.
Origin & History: India's modern exercise diplomacy expanded sharply after the Malabar series with the United States began in 1992.
Key milestone 1: India and Japan elevated ties to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014.
Key milestone 2: The two countries signed a reciprocal provision of supplies and services agreement in 2020.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Special Strategic and Global Partnership; the reciprocal supplies and services agreement; the India–Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
Nodal Ministry / Body: Ministry of Defence, with Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff coordinating joint exercises; Ministry of External Affairs handles the diplomatic track.
India-specific relevance: Exercises let India hedge across partners without entering a formal military alliance, preserving strategic autonomy.
Global comparison: Treaty allies such as Japan and the United States conduct standing combined commands; India prefers issue-based, non-binding exercise partnerships.
Common exam angle: Match the exercise name with the partner country and the service arm — the single most repeated question format in this area.
Easy memory hook: "Veer flies, Dharma marches, JIMEX sails" — air, army and navy with Japan.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral air exercise between India and which country? [Easy]

A) Republic of Korea

B) Japan

C) Australia

D) France

Answer: B

Explanation: Veer Guardian-2026 was conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.

Q2. Where was Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 conducted? [Easy]

A) Air Force Station Jodhpur

B) Air Force Station Kalaikunda

C) Air Force Station Sulur

D) Air Force Station Hindan

Answer: A

Explanation: The exercise was held at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan and concludes on 22 September 2026.

Q3. Which indigenous aircraft did the air chiefs of India and Japan fly together on 20 September 2026? [Moderate]

A) HAL Dhruv

B) HTT-40

C) LCA Tejas

D) HAL Rudra

Answer: C

Explanation: Both chiefs flew a formation sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, with the Indian chief at the controls.

Q4. Which fighter aircraft did the Japan Air Self-Defence Force deploy for Veer Guardian-2026? [Moderate]

A) F-15J

B) F-35A

C) F-2A

D) F-16

Answer: C

Explanation: Japan deployed F-2A fighter aircraft, supported by C-2 transport aircraft, for the Jodhpur exercise.

Q5. The term "Kizuna", used by the Indian Air Force chief during the exercise, means: [Moderate]

A) Rising sun

B) Sea of harmony

C) Warrior spirit

D) A strong and enduring bond

Answer: D

Explanation: Kizuna is a Japanese term for a strong and enduring bond that grows through shared experience and mutual respect.

Q6. Which of the following is correct about Veer Guardian-2026? [Tricky]

A) It was the maiden edition of the exercise

B) It marked the first visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India

C) It was a multilateral exercise of all four Quad members

D) It was hosted at a base in Japan

Answer: B

Explanation: It is the second edition of Veer Guardian, and the first occasion on which Japan Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft operated from India.

Q7. Which of the following is NOT an India–Japan bilateral military exercise? [Tricky]

A) Dharma Guardian

B) JIMEX

C) Veer Guardian

D) Varuna

Answer: D

Explanation: Varuna is the India–France naval exercise; Dharma Guardian, JIMEX and Veer Guardian are all India–Japan exercises.

Q8. The Indian Air Force aircraft that took part in Veer Guardian-2026 were: [Tricky]

A) LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale

B) LCA Tejas, MiG-21 and Jaguar

C) Rafale, Mirage-2000 and LCA Tejas

D) Su-30MKI, LCA Tejas and MiG-29

Answer: A

Explanation: The Indian side fielded LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft for the exercise.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

With reference to India's bilateral military exercises, "Veer Guardian" is conducted between the air forces of India and:

A) Republic of Korea

B) Japan

C) Singapore

D) United Kingdom

Answer: B

Explanation: Veer Guardian is the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements:

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 was conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
The Japan Air Self-Defence Force deployed F-2A fighter aircraft for the exercise.
Veer Guardian-2026 was the maiden edition of the exercise.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because Veer Guardian-2026 was the second edition of the exercise.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 marked the first occasion on which Japan Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft operated from Indian soil.

Reason (R): India and Japan are both members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

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: B

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Bilateral military exercises have become a central instrument of India's defence diplomacy. Discuss with reference to India–Japan air cooperation.

India should institutionalise such exchanges with a predictable calendar and deeper technology cooperation, so that each edition adds capability rather than only symbolism.

Question 2 (250 words): Examine the evolution of the India–Japan defence partnership and assess its significance for Indo-Pacific security.

A predictable exercise calendar and joint work on aerospace technology would convert goodwill into durable capability.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students confuse Veer Guardian with Dharma Guardian. The correct fact is that Veer Guardian is the India–Japan air exercise, while Dharma Guardian is the India–Japan army exercise.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that Japan sent F-35 aircraft to Jodhpur. The reality is that Japan deployed F-2A fighter aircraft, supported by C-2 transport aircraft.
Trap 3: Many students miss that Veer Guardian-2026 was the second edition, not the first. Always remember that what happened for the first time was the visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India, not the exercise itself.