Description

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Context:

India, France, and the UAE began a major air combat exercise, “Desert Knight,” over the Arabian Sea.

About Exercise Desert Knight:

Exercise Name	Trilateral air combat exercises involving India, France, and the UAE.
Origins	Based on the trilateral framework established in 2022 by the foreign ministers of India, France, and the UAE.
Scope	Collaboration spans defence, technology, energy, and environment under an ambitious roadmap.
Combat Activities	Large force engagement with intensive combat manoeuvres.
	Conducted approximately 350-400 km southwest of Karachi over the Arabian Sea.
Aircraft Involved	Advanced aircraft like Sukhoi-30MKIs, Rafales, and F-16s.
Purpose	Build synergy among the three air forces.
	Enhance combat skills through realistic operational scenarios.
Strategic Focus	Strengthen defence ties in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf regions.
Geopolitical Context	Increase interoperability among like-minded nations amid concerns over China's assertive actions and growing influence.

Current Status of India-France Defence Relations

Defence Partnership	Cornerstone of India-France collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, covering bilateral, multinational, regional, and institutional initiatives in the Indian Ocean.
Maritime Cooperation	Focus on joint tri-services exercises and enhanced maritime domain capabilities.
Defence Industrial Ties	Commitment to co-design, co-development, and co-production of defence supplies for India and friendly nations.
Tata-Airbus Collaboration	Agreement for manufacturing H125 helicopters with high indigenous content.
	Ongoing cooperation on C-295 Transport Aircraft production in Gujarat.
Shakti Jet Engine Deal	Discussions between India and Safran to develop jet engines meeting India’s fighter jet requirements, emphasizing advanced technology transfer.
CFM International	Agreement with Akasa Air to supply 300+ LEAP-1B engines for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
French Defence Support	Supply of Rafale jets and 26 Marine aircraft.
	Transfer of technology enabled construction of six Scorpene-class submarines; procurement of three more to boost Navy.
Joint Exercises	Exercise Shakti: Army.
	Exercise Varuna: Navy.
	Exercise Garuda: Air Force.

Current Status of India-UAE Defence Relations:

Focus Areas (2024)	Training cooperation, joint military exercises, defence industrial partnerships, research and development, and subject matter expert exchanges.
Maritime Security	Highlighted importance of safe and open sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf for trade and energy security.
Progress (2014-2024)	2014: PM Modi’s visit emphasized defence cooperation and manufacturing in India.
	2017: Elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with a Strategic Security Dialogue.
	UAE’s participation in Desert Flag series and interest in Indian defence products like BrahMos, Akash, and Tejas fighter jet.
Counter-Terrorism	Commitment to combating extremism and terrorism, including cross-border terrorism and terrorist financing.
	Key milestones: Delhi Declaration (2022), Abu Dhabi Guiding Principles (2023), and UN Counter-Terrorism Committee chairmanship (India in 2022, UAE in 2023).
Staff Talks	Separate talks between navies and armies for improving operational synergy and interoperability.
Challenges	Accelerating joint production and development of defence technology.
	Balancing the growing partnership with other regional relationships.
Future Outlook	Focus on deeper cooperation, shaping security architecture in the Indian Ocean region, and sustaining strategic alignment for a secure and prosperous future.

RAED ABOUT

Exercise Desert Knight

Exploring India-France Bilateral Relations

India UAE defence relations

India-UAE Relations

Source:

INDIA TIMES

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Exercise Desert Knight:

It is a bilateral military exercise conducted between the air forces of India and the United Arab Emirates.
The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance mutual operational understanding and interoperability in desert warfare scenarios.
The first edition of this exercise was conducted in the year 2021.

Which of the statements above is/are correct?

(a) 3 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Exercise Desert Eagle is a bilateral exercise between India and the United Arab Emirates. India and the United Arab Emirates have had a strong bilateral relationship for hundreds of years.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The primary objective of the Desert Eagle exercise is to improve mutual operational understanding and interoperability in desert warfare scenarios.

Statement 3 is correct. The first edition of Exercise Desert Knight was conducted in 2021 as an advanced version of the earlier Garuda exercises between India and France.