Defence China's concerns over Indo-Japanese military cooperation

[thomas]

In January, India and Japan conducted their second joint air defence exercise named "Veer Guardian 2023" at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki. Four Sukhoi-30MKI fighters from the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force's eight F-2 and F-15 fighters participated in the fortnight-long drill.

Eurasia Review looked at how China perceives the deepening military cooperation between the two countries. The exercise will allow Japan to analyze the capabilities of the Russian Sukhoi-30MKI, which is also a mainstay of the Chinese air force. China has nearly 700 Sukhoi-27 and Sukhoi-30 variants in its inventory, both produced in Russia and China.

The Chinese media has widely covered the joint exercise, particularly in the Chinese language ones. The extent of coverage is unusual, as Chinese commentators have frequently belittled the IAF's inventory and operational capabilities. A deeper study into the Chinese discourse unveils a subdued panic over the increasing military collaboration between Japan and India under US guidance in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, Japan's attempt to familiarise itself with the Sukhoi-30 series fighter aircraft through this drill increases uncertainty for the Chinese Air Force in the region. [...] Japan, however, intends to benefit significantly from this air drill. This is the first time JASDF pilots simulate air combat operations with a Sukhoi-30 aircraft; therefore, their heightened curiosity is obvious. The JASDF aims to understand Sukhoi's combat behaviour, which may help them against Chinese and Russian Sukhoi series fighters in the future. China has nearly 700 Sukhoi-27 and Sukhoi-30 variants in its inventory, both produced in Russia and China. The Sukhoi fighters are the Chinese Air Force's backbone and are regularly used in air patrols around China's periphery.

China’s Growing Concerns Over Japan-India Air Combat Exercise – Analysis

By Atul Kumar On 16 January, Japan and India launched their second Joint Air Defense Exercise named “Veer Guardian 2023” at Hyakuri Air Base, near Tokyo in Japan. Four Sukhoi-30MKI fighte…

www.eurasiareview.com

​

Veer Guardian 2023

Veer Guardian 2023 For the first time in history, Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force) fighter aircraft arrived in Japan. From 12 to 16 January 2023, exercise Veer Guardian ...

www.scramble.nl