# Japanese F-2A fighters operate from India for first time in joint air exercise

2026-09-20T09:57:56+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 5 independent outlets

Japanese F-2A fighter aircraft have operated from Indian soil for the first time as part of Ex Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The 14-day bilateral exercise from September 9 to 22 involves IAF Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale jets alongside JASDF's F-2A fighters. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Japan Air Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita flew sorties on Tejas aircraft on September 20. Singh described the deployment as a great milestone in India-Japan defence ties. Morita called his flight a powerful symbol of trust and partnership. IAF and JASDF personnel are undertaking advanced operational missions, mission planning, and professional exchanges. The exercise runs until September 22.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All five sources reported the same facts with neutral framing, uniformly leading with the milestone of Japanese fighters operating from Indian soil and the air chiefs flying Tejas. Coverage was straight wire-style reporting, with no discernible slant or omission across outlets. The exercise's significance lies not in coverage variance but in the strategic signal: two major Indo-Pacific democracies moving from symbolic exercises to operational asset deployment. The outcome to watch is whether Veer Guardian evolves into a recurring, larger-scale format, as hinted by both air chiefs.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/veer-guardian-2026-japanese-airmen-india-joint-military-drills-praise-yoga-curry-india-japan-defence-101789813872010.html>
  Leads with hyperlinks and background format, straight facts reported
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/watch-india-japan-air-chiefs-take-tejas-sorties-during-joint-air-exercise/articleshow/134365436.cms>
  Leads with air chiefs flying Tejas, straightforward reporting
- indiatoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/india-japan-veer-guardian-2026-japanese-fighters-fly-from-indian-soil-first-time-ptag-2998841-2026-09-20>
  Leads with milestone, straight news with quotes from both chiefs
- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/20/in-a-first-japanese-f-2a-fighters-operate-from-indian-soil-iaf-chief-hails-joint-air-exercise>
  Leads with first-time deployment, plain factual reporting with PTI inputs
- telegraphindia.com (neutral report) <https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/japanese-fighter-jets-fly-from-indian-soil-for-first-time-in-landmark-air-exercise-with-indian-air-force/cid/2180838>
  Leads with landmark exercise, quotes from press conference

Tags: Indian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Jodhpur, Rajnath Singh, Tejas
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