In a display of military cooperation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted Exercise Desert Knight alongside the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force on January 23. The joint exercise, hosted at the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE, brought together a formidable array of fighter aircraft and support units from the three nations.
French participation in Exercise Desert Knight was marked by the deployment of advanced Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi-Role Tanker Transport, underscoring the commitment to collaborative defense initiatives. The UAE Air Force contributed to the exercise with the versatile F-16 fighter jets. The collaborative efforts of these air forces aimed at enhancing synergy and interoperability in tackling contemporary security challenges.
The IAF showcased its diverse capabilities with a contingent comprising Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), C-130-J, and Air-to-Air Refueler aircraft. Notably, the exercise took place within Indian Flight Information Region (FIR) over the Arabian Sea, with IAF aircraft operating from bases situated within India.