France and Japan have commenced their first ever joint fighter jet exercise on Thursday.
According to Japan Air Self-Defense Force, JASDF, two French Rafale fighter jets from the French Air and Space Force joined three Japanese F-15 and two F-2 aircraft from JASDF in a joint drill over southwestern Japan.
The French fighter jets reached Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki province on Wednesday.
Aerial fueling planes and transport aircraft from the countries are also said to be accompanying the jets.
The Japanese air force held joint fighter jet exercises with Germany and India last year and similar joint drills with Italy and Australia are scheduled in August.
The exercise with France, which is expected to run through Saturday followed reports that France is opposed to the idea of NATO opening its office in Tokyo.
According to the report which surfaced last month, French President, Emmanuel Macron, was said to have voiced his objections to NATO’s plans to establish an office in Japan, which would be the first of its kind in Asia, saying it will be a “big mistake” as Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida and NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, in January, reached an agreement to enhance their partnership.