Current Context : India, France, and the UAE have commenced an air combat exercise named “Desert Knight” over the Arabian Sea.

Aim : to enhance defense cooperation and improve the ability of the three countries’ air forces to operate together in complex combat scenarios​

• The event takes place in the Arabian Sea, approximately 350-400 km southwest of Karachi, lasting three days​

Aircraft Involved:

• India: Sukhoi-30MKIs, Jaguars, IL-78 refuellers, and AEW&C systemsdeployed from Jamnagar​
• France: Rafale jets, known for their versatility and advanced combat capabilities​
• UAE: F-16 fightersstationed at Al Dhafra airbase​