Indian Air Force Conducts Exercise Desert Knight With France, UAE Over Arabian Sea

Subject: IR

Section: Msc

Context:

On 23 Jan 24, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.

More on news:

India, UAE, and France conducted the Desert Knight exercise over the Arabian Sea.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to be in India as the Chief Guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations from January 25-26.

About various contingents:

The participation of the French included the deployment of Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi-Role Tanker Transport, while the UAE Air Force contributed the F-16.
These aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE.
The IAF contingent comprised Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J, and Air to Air Refueler aircraft.

Desert Knight Exercise:

The main focus of the Desert Knight exercise was on enhancing synergy and interoperability among the three air forces.
It was a large force engagement roughly equidistant from the coastlines of India and the UAE.
This joint exercise took place amid growing global concerns regarding Houthi rebels attacking commercial vessels in the region’s vital waterways.
The exercise was conducted within the Indian FIR (Flight Information Regions), with IAF aircraft operating from various bases in India.
The global airspace is divided into Flight Information Regions (FIRs).
Each FIRs is overseen by a controlling authority tasked with ensuring the provision of air traffic services for aircraft operating within its jurisdiction.

Other Defence Exercises between India and France:

Defense exercise between Indian and UAE:

Desert cyclone – Military exercise
The first edition of the India-UAE military exercise aims to enhance interoperability through exchanging knowledge and sharing best practices in military operations.
The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan from 2nd to 15th January 2024.