Exercise Desert Knight: IAF conducts joint air drills with France, UAE

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted ‘Exercise Desert Knight’ along with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.

While the French participation included the Rafale fighter aircraft and a multi-role tanker Transport, the UAE Air Force fielded the F-16, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, adding that these aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE. The IAF contingent comprised of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J and Air to Air Refueller aircraft.

The exercise in Indian FIR was conducted over the Arabian Sea, with IAF aircraft operating from bases within India.

The main focus of Exercise Desert Knight was on enhancing synergy and interoperability between the three Air Forces. The interactions during the exercise facilitated the exchange of operational knowledge, experiences and best practices among the participants. Such exercises are indicative of the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, apart from showcasing the prowess of the IAF.

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