August 6, 2026

Japan reportedly plans to send F-2 fighter jets to India for the first time to take part in joint training, with a Defense Ministry official openly linking the move to "countering China." Although Japan and India each hope to use defense cooperation to advance their own interests, India should remain cautious about being turned into a frontline player in Japan's geopolitical rivalry against China or inadvertently facilitating Tokyo's push to revive militarism, said a Chinese expert. 

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is making arrangements to visit Australia and India from August 17. According to several officials from Japan's Ministry of Defense, the Air Self-Defense Force is expected to deploy F-2 fighter jets to India for the first time to take part in joint training. The planned deployment is also expected to be discussed during Koizumi's meeting with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, according to a report from the Asahi Shimbun on Thursday.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Indian military conducted their first joint fighter jet exercise in Japan in 2023. By sending fighter aircraft to India for the first time, Tokyo also aims to send a signal aimed at countering China, according to a Defense Ministry official, per the report. 

Read more:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367665.shtml