Trilateral Air Combat Exercise "Desert Knight"

• India, France and the UAE have launched a trilateral air combat exercise called "Desert Knight" in the Arabian Sea.

• It will enhance trilateral defence cooperation and promote better interoperability among the air forces.

• The Indian Air Force participated with aircraft such as the Sukhoi-30MKI and Jaguar as well as the IL-78 mid-air refueller.

• French Rafale jets and UAE's F-16 fighter jets also took part in the exercise.

• The exercise is part of efforts to strengthen defence ties in the Indo-Pacific and the Persian Gulf.