The trilateral air exercise Desert Knight, involving India, France, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), commenced over the Arabian Sea last Wednesday.

Spanning three days, the air drill demonstrated enhanced cooperation and interoperability among the Air Forces of the three nations.

The combat drills featured India's Su-30MKI and Jaguar jets, France's Rafale fighters, and the UAE's F-16 aircraft. The exercise includes complex aerial manoeuvres and mission scenarios. Indian Air Force (IAF) jets launched from bases along India’s western front, while French and UAE aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.

This marks the second Desert Knight exercise, following the first session in January this year, Times of India (TOI) reported.

The initiative aims to strengthen mutual understanding, coordination, and operational synergy in high-pressure combat situations, fostering tactical collaboration among the participants.

Highlighting the strategic partnership between the three nations, the exercise focusses on bolstering regional security in the Indo-Pacific and Arabian Sea. It also underscores India’s growing defence cooperation with global allies, reflecting its capability to operate seamlessly alongside advanced air forces like those of France and the UAE.

Official sources said such exercises are pivotal in enhancing readiness, sharing best practices, and fostering trust among the participating nations.

The exercise is yet another indicator of the way India is steadily building military interoperability with countries in the region, especially the Persian Gulf, in conjunction with others like the US, France and Australia.