Japan Air Chief flies Tejas, calls sortie symbol of trust and friendship with India

Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita on Saturday flew in India’s indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft, describing the experience as a powerful symbol of the trust, confidence and friendship between India and Japan.

General Morita undertook the sortie alongside Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh during the second edition of the bilateral air exercise, Exercise Veer Guardian-2026, being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur.

Speaking during a joint press interaction, General Morita said the flight was not merely a valuable professional experience but also reflected the growing depth of defence cooperation between the two countries.

“I will remember it not only as a truly valuable experience, but also as a powerful symbol of trust, confidence, and friendship,” he said.

The JASDF chief said the partnership between the two air forces had evolved beyond conducting joint exercises and now involved increasingly sophisticated training aimed at strengthening tactical capabilities.

“Our partnership has progressed beyond simply conducting exercises together to refine our tactical capabilities at a practical level. Through increasingly sophisticated training, our two air forces have advanced our cooperation,” General Morita said.

He added that such efforts would strengthen the two countries’ ability to contribute to regional peace and stability and, over time, help reinforce regional deterrence.

“Japan and India share that common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.

General Morita also noted that the increasing sophistication of bilateral exercises reflected both the maturity of the partnership and the two countries’ shared commitment to peace and stability.

Cooperation between the two air forces includes exercises and exchanges at various levels, ranging from senior leadership to subject-matter experts, with the two sides also exploring potential cooperation in the space domain.

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh welcomed General Morita and his contingent to India and highlighted the close ties between the two air forces.

“It is a partnership built on mutual respect, professional trust, and shared commitment to peace and stability. And India and Japan share a vision of a free, open and rule-based Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Describing the synergy between the two air forces, the IAF chief invoked the Japanese concept of ‘Kizuna’, referring to enduring bonds forged through mutual trust, support and shared experiences.

He described the relationship as “a bond that grows stronger through shared experiences, mutual respect, and collaboration”.

Referring to General Morita’s sortie in the Tejas formation, Air Chief Marshal Singh said the flight also demonstrated the growing confidence in India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.

“I will say that the defence aviation industry and R&D are now set to hit much higher heights,” he said, describing the sortie as “a very clear example of how much faith and trust you have in the homegrown Indian aircraft”.

Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 is aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational cooperation between the Indian Air Force and the JASDF while providing both sides an opportunity to exchange operational experience and strengthen their ability to work together in complex aerial scenarios.