Japan and India kicked off their first joint military exercise involving combat aircraft on Monday, Japan's Defense Ministry said, APA reports citing dw.com.
The joint exercise will last for 11 days and is taking place at the Hyakuri Air Base in Japan's Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo.
Eight Japanese fighter jets are involved while India has sent four war planes of its own, as well as two transport aircraft and a refueling tanker, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
Some 150 Indian Air Force personnel are taking part in the exercise. India's Defense Ministry said the drills will include training for "air combat missions in a complex environment" and that the exercise will strengthen the "long-standing bond of friendship" between India and Japan, says the source.
The exercises were first agreed by the two countries in 2019, but were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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