The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct
exercise Veer Guardian 23 from Jan. 16 to 26, 2023.
By g4sp [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The bilateral fighter training exercise was originally supposed to take place at Komatsu base in June 2020, with JASDF F-15s participating. However, due to the pandemic, the event was postponed. It was then rescheduled to take place in July of 2021, with India’s Su-30MKIs set to train with JASDF F-2s at Hyakuri. Unfortunately, that event had to be canceled as well due to the spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.
Despite these setbacks, the exercise will finally take place next year at Hyakuri Air Base and Iruma Air Base, as well as the surrounding airspace. The JASDF will be participating with 4 F-2s from the 7th Air Wing (Hyakuri) and 4 F-15s from the Air Tactics Development Wing (Komatsu), along with the Central Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (Iruma).
The IAF will have approximately 150 personnel participating, along with 4 Su-30MKIs from No. 220 Squadron of the Western Air Command. In addition, 2 C-17s from No. 81 Squadron of the Western Air Command will provide transportation support for the deployment and withdrawal of IAF aircraft. A Il-78 tanker from No.78 Squadron will provide air refueling support. They will arrive in Japan on Jan. 10 and depart on Jan. 27.
Overall, this bilateral fighter training exercise is an important opportunity for the JASDF and IAF to improve their tactical skills and strengthen their defense cooperation, the JASDF said.
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