The Indian Army has sent a 45-member contingent to the United Arab Emirates for the second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from December 18 to 30.
- The contingent, drawn primarily from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, will train alongside a unit of similar strength from the UAE Land Forces’ 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
- The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening defence cooperation between the two armies through joint training in an urban environment, with a focus on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate.
- Over the nearly two-week exercise, troops from both countries will train in a range of tactical drills, including fighting in built-up areas, heliborne operations and detailed mission planning.
- The programme will also include the integration of unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS techniques for operations in urban settings.
- The exercise follows recent high-level military exchanges, including the visit of the Commander of the UAE Land Forces in October and the visit of the Commander of the UAE Presidential Guard earlier this month.
- DESERT CYCLONE-II reflects the deepening strategic partnership between India and the UAE and is expected to further strengthen military-to-military ties, while contributing to regional peace, security and stability.