Exercise Desert Cyclone 2024 marks the inaugural edition of the joint military exercise between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This exercise reflects the growing depth of defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.
About Exercise Desert Cyclone 2024
The joint exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of India and the UAE. It focuses particularly on Urban Operations, where both countries’ militaries will share best practices, operational experiences, and tactical maneuvers for modern combat environments.
The exercise holds special importance as it symbolizes a new phase of defence collaboration and contributes towards building mutual trust and strengthening security ties in the region.
Objectives of the Exercise
- To improve coordination and interoperability between the Indian Army and the UAE Armed Forces.
- To exchange operational knowledge and learn from each other’s experience in conducting urban warfare.
- To strengthen the bilateral defence and security partnership in the backdrop of emerging regional challenges.
- To boost military-to-military cooperation as part of the wider India–UAE strategic partnership.
India–UAE Defence Relations: A Background
India and the UAE share a long-standing relationship that has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Defence cooperation has become an important pillar of this relationship.
Key Milestones
- 1972: India and the UAE established formal diplomatic relations. The UAE opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 1972, and India reciprocated by opening its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1973.
- 2008: The first-ever India–UAE Joint Air Forces exercise was conducted at the Al-Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi, setting the tone for enhanced military collaboration.
- IDEX Participation: India has consistently participated in the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), held biennially in Abu Dhabi, showcasing its growing defence industry and strengthening defence diplomacy.
- 2024 – Exercise Zayed Talwar: Earlier in the year, Indian Navy ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated in the bilateral naval exercise Zayed Talwar with the UAE Navy. The exercise was aimed at increasing maritime security cooperation and joint operational synergy.
Strategic Significance
The launch of Exercise Desert Cyclone highlights the following:
- Strengthened Strategic Partnership: It underlines the growing strategic convergence between India and the UAE, especially in the defence sector.
- Regional Security Cooperation: By conducting such exercises, both nations demonstrate their commitment to regional peace, stability, and security in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.
- Defence Diplomacy: The exercise boosts military-to-military engagement and expands the scope of defence diplomacy beyond naval and air domains.
Conclusion
Exercise Desert Cyclone 2024 is not just a joint military drill but a symbol of deepening ties between India and the UAE. It reflects the shared vision of both nations to enhance security cooperation, operational interoperability, and mutual trust. With growing defence collaboration, both countries are set to play a larger role in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
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