Exercise Desert Knight

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About Exercise Desert Knight:

It is a trilateral air combat exercise between India, France, and the UAE.
This exercise builds on the trilateral framework established in 2022 by the foreign ministers of India, France, and the UAE. This partnership includes collaboration in defence, technology, energy, and environment, among other areas, as outlined in an ambitious roadmap.
The exercise is described as a “large force engagement,” featured intensive combat manoeuvres approximately 350-400 km southwest of Karachi over the Arabian Sea.
It is the second such trilateral endeavour this year to build synergy among the three air forces as well as improve combat skills, with multiple aircraft types operating in a realistic scenario.”
It features intensive combat manoeuvres involving advanced aircraft like Sukhoi-30MKIs, Rafales, and F-16s.
This trilateral exercise comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen defence ties in strategically crucial regions, including the Indo-Pacific and the Persian Gulf.
It also highlights the increasing focus on interoperability among like-minded nations amidst concerns over China’s assertive posturing and expanding influence in these areas.
Significance: This marks a continued effort to build strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf regions amid global geopolitical tensions.

Q1: Where is the Persian Gulf?

It is part of the Indian Ocean It is located in Western Asia.It is an extension of the Gulf of Oman and connects to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Hormuz in the east. It is also referred to as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Iran.

News: India, France, UAE strengthen defence ties with Desert Knight air combat exercise