Veer Guardian 2023

For the first time in history, Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force) fighter aircraft arrived in Japan. From 12 to 16 January 2023, exercise Veer Guardian 2023 (VG23) will take place at Hyakuri air base (Ibaraki Prefecture) just north of the capital Tokyo.

The exercise involves Sukhoi Su-30MKI-3 Flanker from 220 Squadron Desert Tigers based at Halwara Air Force Station (state of Punjab) and the Hyakuri based 3 Hikotai Mitsubishi F-2A/Bs. This unit also participated in last year's Pitch Black exercise in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Next to the F-2A/B fighter aircraft, also F-15J/DJ Eagles from Komatsu air base will participate. It is reported that the Hiko Kyodogun (Agressor Group) Eagles will be participating.

The Indian fighters arrived at Hyakuri on Tuesday 10 January. They were accompanied by two Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft and one Ilyushin Il-78MKI aerial tanker. The latter landed at Naha air base. The serials of the Su-30MKI-3s involved are: SB219, SB220, SB225 and SB232. The aircraft were welcomed with a traditional water salut upon arriving, which can be seen in this video from SankeiNews.

Veer Guardian 2023 is a bilateral air training exercise between the two air forces. This exercise was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, the IAF already planned to send Su-30MKIs to Komatsu in October 2019, the reason for cancelling this exercise is not known. Most probably it was delayed till 2020, with the earlier mentioned result. In July 2021, it was intended to send the Sukhois to Hyakuri, but this was cancelled for the same reason.

The goal of the VG23 exercise is to augment air defense cooperation between the two countries. Training with the Sukhoi Su-30MKI-3 is a great opportunity for Asian countries, but also for US Pacific Air Command and NATO partners when it comes to simulate Russian and Chinese fighter aircraft. This was proven in earlier exercises like Cope India, Garuda, Pitch Black, Indra-Danush, Cope Tufan, Bersama Gold and other. On the other hand, for the Indian Air Force the exercise is also a great experience to test their capabilities and combat experience versus western technologies.

Both countries are also involved in maritime exercises. Since January 2012, Indian and Japanese maritime forces train together in the series of so-called JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) exercises. Indian Navy MiG-29K fighters frequently participate in these exercises.

Photos by めのっく (twitter @dahyun_twice01) and 麻陳豆腐 (twitter @WT250E)