Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday conducted ‘Exercise Desert Knight ‘ with French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force over the Arabian Sea, according to the official statement of IAF.
“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 amongst the participants. Such exercises are indicative of the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, apart from showcasing the prowess of the IAF,” said the official statement of IAF.
Aircrafts fielded by India, UAE and France:
India Air Force– Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J and Air to Air Refueller aircraft.
French Air and Space Force (FASF)– Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi Role Tanker Transport
UAE Air Force– F-16.
“The exercise in Indian FIR was conducted over the Arabian Sea, with IAF aircraft operating from bases within India,” the official statement read.
Earlier this month, India and UAE counterparts conducted a Joint Military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ in Rajasthan to enhance interoperability by learning and sharing best practices in operations.
