Japanese F-2As have arrived in India for the first time to participate in the Veer Guardian-2026 air exercises, where they will conduct joint training with Indian Su-30MKIs. This marks the first time F-2s operate from Indian territory, and the exercise is notable for bringing together fighters of fundamentally different classes: the Japanese single-engine F-2 and the heavy twin-engine Su-30MKI.
The exercises are taking place from September 9 to 22 at Jodhpur Air Force Station. India is deploying three types of combat aircraft – Su-30MKI, Rafale, and light Tejas fighters, while Japan has sent F-2A.
In terms of size, the F-2 is noticeably more compact than the Su-30MKI. The Japanese aircraft has a length of 15.5 m and a wingspan of 11.1 m; its maximum takeoff weight is about 22.1 tons. The Su-30MKI has a length of about 21.9 m and a maximum takeoff weight of about 34.5 tons, which is almost 12.5 tons more. Both aircraft are capable of speeds of about Mach 2.
The difference is particularly noticeable in the power plant and purpose. The F-2 is based on the American F-16 but received an enlarged wing, Japanese avionics, and a number of structural changes; the aircraft is equipped with a single engine. The Su-30MKI is a two-seat heavy multi-role long-range fighter with two AL-31FP engines and thrust vectoring.
Therefore, joint flights are of interest primarily as an opportunity to test the interaction of machines with different flight capabilities and tactical roles.
It was previously reported that India was invited to join the GCAP program, which unites the UK, Italy, and Japan in working on a sixth-generation fighter. The cost of one such aircraft could reach 600 million dollars – approximately 9.2 times more than the estimated cost of the Su-57.