About Exercise Desert Cyclone II
- Desert Cyclone II is the second edition of the India–U.A.E. Joint Military Exercise, following the inaugural edition held in 2024.
- The Indian contingent comprises personnel primarily drawn from a Mechanised Infantry Regiment battalion of the Indian Army.
- The A.E. Land Forces are represented by a contingent of similar strength from the Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
- The core objective of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and strengthen defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the U.A.E. Land Forces.
- The exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations in urban environments under a United Nations mandate, preparing forces for peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations.
- Joint training includes fighting in built-up areas, heliborne operations, and detailed joint mission planning.
- A key feature is the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS techniques for conducting urban military operations.
- The conduct of Desert Cyclone II reflects deepening military diplomacy, shared strategic interests, and growing operational synergy between India and the U.A.E.
Key Facts about India–U.A.E. Defence Relations
- India and the U.A.E. established diplomatic relations in 1972.
- The A.E. opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 1972, while India opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1973.
- The first-ever India–U.A.E. Joint Air Forces exercise was conducted in 2008 at the Al-Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi.
- India has been a regular participant in the biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi.
- In 2025, Indian Navy ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated in the bilateral naval exercise “Zayed Talwar”, aimed at enhancing naval interoperability and synergy.
