The first-ever joint military drill between India and the UAE, named ‘Desert Cyclone,’ has kicked off in Rajasthan on Tuesday. It brings together 45 personnel from each military, with the UAE’s Zayed First Brigade collaborating with the Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment. Taking place in Mahajan, Rajasthan, until January 15, the exercise is designed to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations, specifically in desert terrain, aligning with UN peacekeeping principles. The activities include joint surveillance, search operations, and urban combat drills to strengthen cooperation, share best practices, and foster deeper bilateral relations. It underscores the shared security objectives of the two nations.
This drill represents a continued reinforcement of the bonds of friendship and trust between India and the UAE. Additionally, the exercise seeks to attain common security goals and promote bilateral relations between these two amicable nations.
India and the UAE share robust bonds of friendship rooted in millennia-old cultural, religious, and economic interactions between the two regions. As highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs, potential avenues for bilateral cooperation in the defence sector include the production and development of defence equipment, joint exercises involving armed forces, especially naval exercises, exchange of information on strategy and doctrines, and technical collaboration concerning the Intermediate Jet Trainer.
In recent times, there has been a notable enhancement in bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the areas of military training and the supply of defence inventory, alongside ongoing exchange programs. The inaugural India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise occurred in September 2008 at the Al-Dhafra base in Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, India has consistently participated in the biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi.
Team BharatShakti
