Exercise Desert Knight

EXERCISE DESERT KNIGHT

• In a major step towards enhancing trilateral defence cooperation, India, France, and the UAE began the “Desert Knight” air combat exercise on 11th Dec 2024, over the Arabian Sea.
• This exercise is designed to foster interoperability and improve the combat readiness of the air forces of these nations.
• It is also aimed at strengthening defence ties and addressing emerging security challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf regions, which are strategically significant amid growing geopolitical tensions.

KEY DETAILS

• Aircraft Involved:
  • Indian Air Force (IAF): Participating with Sukhoi-30MKIs, Jaguar fighter jets, IL-78 mid-air refuellers, and AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) systems. These aircraft were launched from Jamnagar, located on India’s west coast.
  • French Air Force: Rafale jets have been deployed from the Al Dhafra Airbase in the UAE.
  • UAE Air Force: The UAE contributed F-16 fighter jets, also operating from the Al Dhafra Airbase.
• Nature of the Exercise:
  • The exercise is categorized as a “large force engagement” and involves intensive combat manoeuvres approximately 350-400 km southwest of Karachi over the Arabian Sea.
  • Duration: The exercise will continue for three days, focusing on improving combat skills and enhancing the synergy between the three air forces in realistic combat scenarios. It marks the second trilateral endeavour this year to build greater interoperability.
• Strategic Objectives:
  • To improve coordination and effectiveness in complex combat operations involving multiple aircraft types, and to address both traditional and non-traditional security threats.
  • The exercise is designed to promote mutual understanding and interoperability among the forces, which is crucial for responding to regional security challenges, including rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf.

GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT

• Addressing Regional Security Concerns:
  • The exercise is held in the context of increasing geopolitical tensions, especially with China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific
  • By strengthening defence ties, India, France, and the UAE aim to ensure better regional security cooperation and deterrence.
  • The trilateral partnership is becoming increasingly important as China’s influence expands across these strategic regions, and the exercise highlights the efforts of like-minded nations to enhance their collective defence capabilities.
• The Trilateral Framework:
  • The “Desert Knight” exercise builds on a trilateral framework established in 2022 by the foreign ministers of India, France, and the UAE, aimed at enhancing collaboration in defence, technology, energy, and environment.
  • This partnership also includes a growing focus on military cooperation, with an emphasis on interoperability and regional stability.
• Maritime and Defence Cooperation:
  • Last year, the navies of India, France, and the UAE conducted their first-ever trilateral maritime exercise to strengthen collaboration on maritime security.
  • This exercise addressed traditional and non-traditional security threats, highlighting the countries’ collective commitment to securing vital maritime routes and addressing evolving threats in the region.

BILATERAL PARTNERSHIPS

• India and France:
  • India and France share a robust strategic partnership that covers multiple sectors, including maritime security, counterterrorism, and defence-industrial cooperation. Both nations engage regularly in joint exercises to bolster operational preparedness.
  • Some of the notable exercises between India and France include:
    • Shakti (army exercise)
    • Varuna (navy exercise)
    • Garuda (air force exercise)
• India and the UAE:
  • India’s defence partnership with the UAE has also seen significant growth in recent years. The two countries engage in regular professional exchanges, training programs, and combat exercises.
  • One of the prominent examples is India’s participation in the multi-nation “Desert Flag” exercise at the Al Dhafra Airbase, which further strengthens India’s military ties with the UAE and highlights India’s growing involvement in the Persian Gulf

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