An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent with its MIG-29 and Jaguar fighter planes has landed at the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The IAF will participate in the 10th edition of the multinational Exercise Desert Flag.

The three-week multinational Exercise Desert Flag-10 will take place from April 21 to May 8, 2025.

The Al Dhafra air base, incidentally, is the same facility that provided refuelling support to India’s first five Rafale jets during their 7,000-km journey from France to India.

Host and Participating Countries

The United Arab Emirates Air Force hosts the annual multinational Exercise Desert Flag.

In the 10th edition of the exercise, the Air Forces of 12 countries - the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Bahrain, Turkiye, Qatar, India, the United Kingdom and the UAE Air Force are participating.

India and the Exercise Desert Flag Exercise

The Exercise Desert Flag is an annual multinational Air Force exercise hosted by the UAE Air Force.

The Indian Air Force participated for the first time in the 6th edition, held from 4 March to 27 March 2021. It deployed its Su-30mki fighter aircraft in the exercise

The IAF participated again in the 8th edition of the exercise, held from February 27 to March 17, 2023. The IAF deployed five Light Combat Aircraft, LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The IAF is participating in the Exercise Desert Flag for the third time in 2025.

Objective of the Exercise

The Exercise Desert Flag is a Red Flag-style exercise where exercises are conducted in multiple scenarios designed to provide realistic combat settings.

It aims to provide strategic training to the participating Air Force to operate with multiple countries and various types of aircraft, thereby building a cohesive fighting force.

The exercise will enhance the capability of participating Air Forces at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels, building upon the foundational knowledge and core competencies necessary for effective collaboration.

.India-UAE Military Exercise

India and the UAE enjoy good political and economic relations. The bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries is also growing. The Armed Forces of the countries conduct various military exercises to strengthen the bilateral defence relations.

Desert Eagle

It is conducted between the IAF and the UAE Air Force.
First - 2008 in the UAE
Second- in 2016 in the UAE

Gulf Star

It is conducted between the Indian Navy and the United Arab Emirates Navy.
First and only - March 2018 off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

Also Read:

Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad to open campus in Dubai