Leading with Su-30 and Jaguar, India to conduct joint air drill with UAE, France today

(File photo)

India, France and UAE will on Wednesday conduct a major air combat exercise over the Arabian Sea, in order to further strengthen trilateral defence cooperation and enhance military interoperability in the Indian Ocean and the larger Indo-Pacific.

Several fighter jets, like Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars, backed by IL-78 mid-air refuellers and AEW&C (airborne early-warning and control) aircraft, will be deployed by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to a report by The Times of India.

The jets will be deployed from Jamnagar and Naliya airbases for the intensive combat manoeuvre.

The deployment of such aircraft signals the drill’s focus on advanced air-combat manoeuvres, maritime strike profiles, and joint operational coordination with partner nations, according to a report by India Today.

On the other hand, France and UAE will deploy Rafale and Mirage fighter jets as well as other aircraft from the Al Dhafra airbase.

For the exercise, India has issued a Notam (notice to airmen) for the exercise area, located around 200 nautical miles from Pakistan's Karachi on December 10-11. According to an official notification, the notified danger area for the drill stretches to nearly 70 nautical miles from Pakistan-controlled airspace, underscoring the strategic sensitivity of the location, India Today reported.

Earlier, in December, 2024, the trilateral air exercise Desert Knight, involving India, France, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), over the Arabian Sea demonstrated enhanced cooperation and interoperability among the air forces of the three nations. This drill was the second Desert Knight exercise, following the first session in January, 2024.