Japanese F-2 Fighter Jets to Land in India for First Time

For the first time, Japanese fighter aircraft will touch down on Indian soil as part of a bilateral military exercise. Three Mitsubishi F-2 fighter jets from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) are set to participate in Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, scheduled from September 9 to 21 in Jodhpur. The F-2, developed jointly by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin, is an advanced variant of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. Known as “Viper Zero,” the single-engine fighter can reach speeds of Mach 2 and is 25 percent larger than the F-16. It is primarily deployed for maritime strike missions and coastal defense. Marking the beginning of the exercise, two JASDF C-2 transport aircraft landed at Jodhpur Air Force Station on September 5. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the drills will enhance interoperability, operational capabilities, and mutual understanding between the two nations’ air forces, further strengthening strategic ties between India and Japan. The F-2 fighters belong to the 8th Air Wing based at Tsuiki Air Base in southwestern Japan, a facility with roots dating back to October 1942 and used during World War II. As per Flight International’s World Air Forces 2026 report, Japan currently operates 85 F-2 multi-role fighters, alongside 320 combat aircraft including U.S.-made F-15 Eagles and F-35 Lightnings. In comparison, the IAF maintains a fleet of around 600 fighter aircraft. Pakistan, meanwhile, operates 44 F-16 A/C single-seaters and 31 B/D twin-seaters, representing less than 20 percent of its total fighter fleet. These aircraft are stationed at bases in Sargodha, Bholari, and Jacobabad. Indian pilots have previously encountered Pakistani F-16s during the 1999 Kargil War, the 2019 Balakot air strikes, and the 2025 Operation Sindoor. The upcoming exercise underscores the growing defense cooperation between India and Japan, highlighting shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.