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Desert Flag exercise
Desert Flag exercise VIII
Desert Flag VIII took place at the UAE air base Al Dhafra. The Indian Air Force took part in the exercise. The US, Korea, Spain, Morocco, Bahrain, the UK, Australia, Kuwait, France, and the UAE were among the other nations that took part. For the first time, India’s LCA Tejas is taking part in a military exercise conducted outside of the country. India participated in the drill with two C-17 transport planes and five Tejas.
Why Desert Flag exercise is crucial for India?
One of the biggest air forces in the world is the UAE Air Force. The UAE Air Force has more than 4,000 personnel. The UAE Air Force was not this powerful in the 1970s and 1980s. During those times, the Pakistan Air Force trained it. Several ex Pakistani Air Force officers are still present today in the UAE.
UAE began developing its air force in 2007. These were the early days of some of the biggest purchases. Mirage 2000 cost 3.4 billion USD, and Lockheed Martin was bought for 6.4 billion. Moreover, missiles like the AIM-120 and AGM Mavericks were bought.
Inference
The UAE’s air force (which is leading the exercise) is not as powerful as India’s. India possesses both S400 and nuclear missiles. UAE Air Force is currently ranked 56th in the world. The Indian Air Force is ranked third. However, why is India so eager to participate in the exercise? There are both political as well as economic objectives. Military drills are frequently regarded as a friendly gesture. We are strengthening our close cooperation with the nation through the exercise.The trade between India and the UAE has recently increased exponentially. UAE is crucial to India from a geopolitical standpoint. It is situated on the Persian Gulf, one of the world’s busiest marine lanes. This route is used for 80% of India’s oil trade. India also has the opportunity to get to know its other friends.
First in the Exercise for India
In 2021, India took part in the Desert Flag Exercise for the first time.
About Desert Flag exercise VIII
Exercise is being led by UAE. In addition, India and the UAE conduct two other exercises. They are the EAGLE-II Air Force Exercise and the bilateral naval exercise BILAT.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Which country participated in desert flag exercise?
Six countries; UAE, USA, France, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain apart from India participated with aerial assets.
What is Desert Eagle military exercise?
Desert Eagle is the bilateral exercise between Indian Air Force (IAF) and United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAE AF).
This was air combat exercise in which the IAF and the UAE air force undertook air exercises.
