NEW DELHI -- India and Japan are stepping up their defense cooperation with their maiden aerial combat exercise this month, going beyond their usual naval drills, against a backdrop of aggressive Chinese posturing in the region.
The exercises, "Veer Guardian-2023" conducted by the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), will take place at Hyakuri air base in Japan, starting Monday. The Indian contingent includes four Su-30 MKI fighter jets, two C-17 transport planes and one IL-78 tanker, while the JASDF is participating with four F-2 and four F-15 fighters.
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