Japan's fighter jets operate from India for first time during joint drill
The exercise provided a platform for the two air forces to improve interoperability and strengthen their strategic partnership.
A bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) concluded in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, today after a 14-day drill that saw Japanese fighter jets operate from Indian territory for the first time.
The exercise provided a platform for the two air forces to improve interoperability and strengthen their strategic partnership, India's defence ministry said.
The IAF deployed Su-30 MKI, Rafale and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, while the JASDF participated with F-2A fighter jets.
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The two forces conducted a range of advanced flying missions, including within-visual-range combat and coordinated multi-aircraft operations.
Gen Takehiro Morita, chief of staff of the JASDF, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, chief of the IAF, visited Air Force Station Jodhpur and flew the indigenous Tejas fighter.
The exercise also included ground-level engagements between personnel from the two air forces, including exchanges among subject-matter experts, operational discussions, mission-planning conferences, engineering interactions, maintenance practices and aerospace safety briefings.
