LCA Tejas impresses Japanese Air Force chief during 'Veer Guardian': ‘Truly invaluable experience’

The domestic fighter jet Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jet of India appears to have found a new admirer in Japan Air Self-Defense Force chief Gen Takehiro Morita, who praised the fighter as a symbol of India's technological innovation after getting first-hand experience of the aircraft during a sortie in Rajasthan's Jodhpur.

Gen Morita flew in a Tejas trainer on Sunday as part of a formation sortie during the India-Japan bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian'. Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew solo in another Tejas and led the formation.

Following the flight, the Japanese air chief expressed his appreciation for the indigenous fighter and the efforts that went into its development. "I am deeply grateful for the invaluable opportunity to fly in the Tejas. As an aircraft born from indigenous defence capabilities, Tejas stands as a symbol of India's technological innovation and embodies the Make in India initiative," Gen Morita said.

The Japanese air chief said the experience also made him reflect on the contribution of those who helped develop the aircraft.

"While flying, I found myself reflecting on the efforts of many people—both in the military and industry—who contributed to its development," he said.

Gen Morita flew in the trainer aircraft alongside an IAF pilot who commands a Tejas unit, with the Indian pilot serving as captain.

The formation sortie lasted around 20-25 minutes. The aircraft flew over the airfield before carrying out a peel-off manoeuvre for landing.

Gen Morita described his flight aboard the Tejas as a "truly invaluable experience".

"Through this experience on board, I gained a first-hand appreciation of the outstanding training environment available to the Indian Air Force and the tremendous value that this exercise provides to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Koku Jieitai," he said.

"I will remember it not only as a truly invaluable experience, but also as a powerful symbol of the trust, confidence, and friendship that have been built between our two air services over many years," he added.

Air Chief Marshal Singh said his Japanese counterpart's willingness to fly in the Tejas demonstrated the trust he placed in India's indigenous aircraft.

"The sortie that you have flown, I think, that is a very clear example of how much faith and trust you have in the homegrown Indian aircraft," Singh said while addressing the media.

The flight took place during 'Veer Guardian', the second bilateral fighter exercise between the IAF and the JASDF, also known as Koku Jieitai.

Gen Morita said the exercise also marked the first-ever deployment of JASDF fighters to India and represented another step forward in defence cooperation between the two countries.

He recalled that the two air forces have steadily expanded their cooperation and exercises since Shinyuu Maitri, their first bilateral exercise held in India in 2018. The deployment of Japanese fighters to India, he said, had been a long-standing aspiration, particularly after IAF fighters made their first visit to Japan three years ago.

"We believe that advanced training deepens mutual understanding, strengthens trust, and enhances practical cooperation," Gen Morita said, adding that Veer Guardian had taken defence cooperation to "a new stage".