Japanese F-2A fighter jets have arrived at Jodhpur Airbase. They will engage in intense aerial combat drills with Indian Air Force Su-30MKI aircraft. The occasion is the ‘Veer Guardian’ air exercise, which began on September 9. The exercise will include complex combat techniques such as air-to-air combat, dogfights, night operations and mid-air refuelling.
The exercise is considered important for air-maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific region. It will also provide valuable experience in dealing with Pakistani Air Force F-16 fighter jets. In this story, read about the special features of Japan’s F-2A fighter aircraft and the key objectives behind the exercise in Jodhpur.
Exercise has a special connection with Pakistan
Japan’s F-2A fighter jets are the biggest highlight of ‘Veer Guardian’. Three F-2A jets have already arrived at Jodhpur Airbase. They were developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in collaboration with America’s Lockheed Martin. However, their basic design is based on the American F-16 Fighting Falcon, and many of their capabilities are similar.
The important point is that Pakistan also operates a fleet of American-supplied F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets. According to various media reports, Pakistan has bought around 85-90 F-16 aircraft at different times.
Therefore, Indian Air Force pilots are getting experience in dealing with threats posed by F-16 fighter jets through this exercise. This could directly help the Indian Air Force understand advanced electronic warfare and strategies to evade radar detection.
It may be recalled that Indian Air Force aircraft encountered Pakistani F-16s during the Balakot airstrike on February 27, 2019. During the engagement, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew a MiG-21 Bison and shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet.
Training with F-2 and F-15 fighter jets has already taken place
This is the second edition of the Veer Guardian exercise. Earlier, in January 2023, the Indian Air Force trained with four Su-30MKIs at Japan’s Hyakuri Air Base. Japan participated with F-2 and F-15 fighter aircraft during that exercise.
Now, in the second edition, Japanese fighter jets have arrived in India and are taking part in the exercise at Jodhpur Airbase. The decision to hold this joint exercise was taken during the India-Japan foreign and defence ministerial meeting held in Tokyo in September 2022.
Important for future air-maritime operations
The strategic objective of the exercise in Jodhpur is to practise maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific. Here is how:
Japan’s F-2A was developed keeping maritime security and operational requirements in mind. Training Indian fighter aircraft alongside it is therefore considered important for future air-maritime operations.
India is an important maritime power in the Indian Ocean region, while Japan plays a key maritime role in the Western Pacific. The two countries have already been conducting naval maritime exercises. ‘Veer Guardian’ is now being viewed as an air-plus-maritime security exercise.
The experience being shared by both sides in aerial combat, mission planning, sensors and avionics, tactical coordination and operational procedures is considered useful for future maritime air operations.
Why Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2A is special
Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2A is a single-engine multirole fighter. Although its basic design is derived from America’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, Japan has made several major modifications to meet its maritime security requirements.
The F-2A can carry anti-ship missiles. This is why it plays an important role in Japan’s air defence and maritime security system.
The F-2 is among the fighter aircraft equipped with an AESA radar. This technology can track fighter jets, missiles and drones targeting air, land and maritime areas.
The F-2 has a wing that is around 25% larger than that of the F-16. Composite materials have also been used along with the larger wings, helping the aircraft’s capabilities and performance meet Japan’s requirements.
What is special about the exercise?
During the exercise, both sides will practise complex combat techniques such as air-to-air combat, dogfights, surgical strike operations at night and mid-air refuelling.
The air exercise will continue until September 22. Fighter jets from both countries will face each other in training and learn the finer aspects of aerial warfare from one another.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the aim is not to showcase the strength of fighter jets, but to prepare air forces for challenging aerial operations.
Experience in complex air operations: The exercise will involve training in air-to-air combat, dogfights, night-time surgical strike operations and mid-air refuelling.
Dealing with threats such as F-16: For Indian pilots, practising against Japanese F-2 jets could provide valuable experience because the aircraft is based to a large extent on the design of Pakistan’s key fighter, the F-16. This could help the Indian Air Force better understand advanced electronic warfare and strategies for evading radar detection.
Security in the Indo-Pacific: The joint exercise is being viewed as a strong message from the two powers amid China’s expansionist policies and growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
