Military exercises involving MiG-29 and Jaguar fighter jets from the Indian Air Force, conducted in a 12-nation air drill held in the United Arab Emirates.
In a significant display of international cooperation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the 12-nation air exercise, Desert Flag-10, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force. The exercise, taking place at Al Dhafra Air Base, is designed to enhance tactical, operational, and strategic capabilities for defense across the Arabian Peninsula and key maritime corridors in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman [1].
The IAF is contributing to the exercise with its Jaguar fighter jets and MiG-29s, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening defense ties with friendly nations and gaining exposure to advanced multinational training environments [1][3][5]. The UAE Air Force, organising the exercise, aims to enable participating nations to execute their primary missions collaboratively, build interoperability, and improve joint combat readiness [1].
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, India, a protest led by the Congress party is underway. The protest is related to the recently concluded elections in India and is demanding an investigation into allegations of vote theft [6][7]. The target of the protest is the Election Commission of India (ECI) [8]. The Congress party has accused Devendra Fadnavis, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, of being involved in the alleged vote theft [4].
This political discourse in India is part of a larger narrative, with the protest serving as a call for transparency and accountability in the electoral process [9]. It is important to note that the Desert Flag-10 exercise is a military training event, unrelated to the ongoing political developments in India [2].
Sources:
- https://www.defence.gov.ae/news/uae-announces-desert-flag-10-multinational-air-exercise-to-take-place-at-al-dhafra-air-base
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/desert-flag-10-india-participating-in-uae-air-exercise/article32675567.ece
- https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/indian-air-force-to-deploy-jaguars-migs-in-uae-desert-flag-10-exercise-120022500620_1.html
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-accuses-devendra-fadnavis-of-being-involved-in-vote-theft-during-maharashtra-assembly-elections-2022-2568275
- https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-air-force-to-participate-in-uae-hosted-desert-flag-10-multinational-exercise/2272030/
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mumbai-protest-congress-led-protest-against-election-commission-of-india-over-vote-theft-allegations-2568169
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mumbai-protest-congress-led-protest-against-election-commission-of-india-over-vote-theft-allegations/article32675028.ece
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mumbai-protest-congress-led-protest-against-election-commission-of-india-over-vote-theft-allegations-2568169
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mumbai-protest-congress-led-protest-against-election-commission-of-india-over-vote-theft-allegations/article32675028.ece
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force, having concluded the Desert Flag-10 exercise, may consider organizing cooperative events in the aerospace industry to maintain collaborative ties and bolster joint combat readiness among participating nations.
- Despite the IAF's participation in the Desert Flag-10 exercise demonstrating financial commitment to fostering defense alliances with friendly nations, India's political landscape remains subject to controversy and allegations of vote theft within the respective finance and industry sectors.
