EXERCISE DESERT KNIGHT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight alongside the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force over the Arabian Sea.

Exercise Desert Knight

• About: It is a trilateral exercise between India, France and UAE.
• Focus: Enhancing synergy and interoperability between the air forces of the three nations.
• India Air Force: Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J and Air to Air Refueller aircraft.
• French Air and Space Force (FASF): Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi Role Tanker Transport
• UAE Air Force: F-16.
• Defence Exercises between India and France

oVaruna: Naval exercise

oGaruda: Air exercise

oShakti: Army exercise