IAF's big September: Fighter jet drills, Japanese F-2s along Pakistan border

Two back-to-back air exercises along the Pakistan border are being seen as India's attempts to flex its military muscle amid tensions with Islamabad following last year's Operation Sindoor.Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Rafale aircraft during a military drill The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set for intense air-combat drills close to the Pakistan border, with two major exercises lined up later this month. The India-Japan Veer Guardian 26 exercise will kick off on September 9, followed by the multinational Tarang Shakti 2026 later this month. The exercises will be centred around Jodhpur and other air bases in western Rajasthan, located relatively close to the Pakistan border.The war games are being seen as India's attempts to flex its military muscle amid tensions with Pakistan following last year's Operation Sindoor. During the hostilities, IAF jets used long-range standoff weapons to hit targets deep inside Pakistan without crossing the LoC.JAPAN'S F-2 FIGHTER JETS TO MAKE INDIAN DEBUTJapan's participation in the Veer Guardian exercise has attracted significant interest. It will be the first time that Japanese fighter jets will operate from an Indian air base for an exercise. Air-combat training involving some of the top fighter jets of both countries will be a key part of the exercise.The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has announced that three F-2A fighter jets and around 110 personnel will be deployed for the air exercise, which is scheduled from September 9 to 21.LARGE STRETCH OF AIRSPACE BLOCKED FOR DRILLSAccording to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by India, large stretches of airspace have been temporarily reserved for military activity from September 21 to October 7. This stretch covers the Jaisalmer-Barmer-Phalodi-Jodhpur sector. The airspace near NAL-Bikaner has also been blocked. The reserved airspace extends up to around 40,000 feet. The map indicates one of the reserved areas coming to around 20 km from the international border.TARANG SHAKTI TO FOLLOWThe NOTAM period also coincides with Tarang Shakti 2026, the IAF's multinational air exercise scheduled to be held in Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12, according to sources.The exercise will bring together the air forces of several countries, providing an opportunity for intense air-combat drills and improving coordination and interoperability.The back-to-back exercises mean the border along Pakistan is likely to see sustained activity of fighter jets through much of September and into October. For the IAF, the exercises will test its pilots in a demanding operational environment while flying alongside advanced fighter platforms.- EndsPublished By: Abhishek DePublished On: Sep 3, 2026 18:03 IST