Story perspectives

Japanese Air Chief Praises Tejas Interoperability on Indian Soil

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 4:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

General Takehiro Morita and Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew together in Indian Tejas jets during Veer Guardian-2026.
The 20-25-minute sortie demonstrated operational interoperability and confidence in the indigenous Tejas fighter.
General Takehiro Morita said the flight gave him first-hand appreciation of the Tejas’s development.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh called the deployment of Japanese fighters on Indian soil a major bilateral defence milestone.

History

Historical Context

India and Japan began joint naval drills with the 2008 JIMEX, the first bilateral exercise, responding to China’s expanding Indian Ocean presence. Continued cooperation led to General Takehiro Morita and Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flying Indian-made Tejas jets in Veer Guardian-2026, reflecting a partnership that now includes 47 Maritime Partnership Exercises with 28 nations.

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Story summary

General Takehiro Morita and Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew together in Indian Tejas jets during Veer Guardian-2026.
The 20-25-minute sortie demonstrated operational interoperability and confidence in the indigenous Tejas fighter.
General Takehiro Morita said the flight gave him first-hand appreciation of the Tejas’s development.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh called the deployment of Japanese fighters on Indian soil a major bilateral defence milestone.

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