In its outreach towards the strategically located Persian Gulf region, India is making its maiden entry into a multilateral air combat exercise in the United Arab Emirates.
Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force, from March 3-27 at Al-Dhafra airbase, UAE. This year, the IAF is participating with its six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 Globemaster III and one IL-78 tanker aircraft.
"The Indian Air Force is participating for the first time in Exercise Desert Flag-VI along with air forces of United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain," said an IAF officer, who added that ten countries are taking part in the wargames.
The IAF's participation is an indicator of India's growing military ties with the Arab world. In December, last year, General M.M. Naravane had visited UAE and Saudi Arabia. It was the first-ever visit by an Indian army chief to Gulf nations.
Besides, UAE and Saudi Arabia have shown interest in India's Akash air defence missiles systems and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and New Delhi is seriously considering the proposal.
An IAF official said that while C-17 Globemaster will provide support for induction/ de-induction of the IAF contingent, Su-30 MKI aircraft will undertake long-range ferry, routing directly from India to the exercise area with aerial refuelling support from IL-78 tanker aircraft.
"The aim of the exercise is to provide operational exposure to the participating forces while training them to undertake simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment," the officer said while adding that the participating forces will get an opportunity to enhance their operational capabilities along with the mutual exchange of best practices.
Incidentally, UAE's Al- Dhafra airbase had provided fuel support to the first five Rafale jets of IAF, during their 7000 km long journey to India from France.
IAF maintained that the large-scale exercise involving diverse fighter aircraft from across the globe will provide the participating forces, including IAF, a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, experience, enhance operational capabilities and interoperability.
"Exercising and interaction with the participating nations in a dynamic and realistic warfare environment will also contribute to strengthening international relations," an IAF officer said.
After taking part in the US military's "Red Flag in 2016, Israel's "Blue Flag" in 2017 and "Pitch Black" of Australia in 2018, Ex-Desert Flag will be IAF's fourth multi-lateral wargames. Over the last decade, IAF has regularly hosted and participated in multi-national operational exercises, wherein collaborative engagements are undertaken amongst the best air forces of the world.
