Why is it in News?
- December 2025: An Indian Army contingent has departed for the UAE to participate in DESERT CYCLONE–II.
- Exercise scheduled at Abu Dhabi from December 18–30, 2025.
- Part of India’s expanding defence diplomacy in West Asia.
Relevance
- GS II:
- India–UAE relations; defence diplomacy in West Asia.
- GS III:
- Security: military preparedness, joint exercises, interoperability.
What is DESERT CYCLONE?
- Type: Bilateral joint military exercise.
- Participants:
- India: 45 personnel, mainly from Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
- UAE: 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
- Edition: Second (DESERT CYCLONE–II).
- Domain: Land forces (mechanised infantry).
Objectives of DESERT CYCLONE–II
- Enhance interoperability between Indian Army and UAE Land Forces.
- Improve joint operational preparedness in:
- Mechanised warfare.
- Desert and semi-desert conditions.
- Strengthen defence cooperation and trust.
- Exchange best practices, tactics, and procedures.
Strategic Significance of UAE for India
- Key West Asia partner:
- Energy security.
- Indian diaspora (~3.5 million).
- Defence cooperation pillars:
- Joint exercises (army, navy, air force).
- Defence industrial collaboration.
- Maritime security in the Arabian Sea & Gulf region.
- UAE is among India’s closest strategic partners in the Gulf.
Why Mechanised Infantry Matters
- Critical arm for:
- Rapid mobility.
- Combined arms warfare.
- Relevance for:
- Desert warfare scenarios.
- High-intensity conventional conflict.
- UAE terrain provides realistic training environment.
Place in India’s Defence Diplomacy
- Complements exercises like:
- AL NAGAH (India–Oman).
- YUDH ABHYAS (India–USA).
- DUSTLIK (India–Uzbekistan).
- Reflects India’s shift towards:
- Theatre-level readiness.
- Interoperable coalition operations.
- Supports India’s “Act West” and Indo-Pacific–West Asia strategic continuum.
Takeaway
- DESERT CYCLONE–II reflects India’s emphasis on practical military cooperation, not symbolic engagement.
- Enhances India’s capacity to operate with friendly foreign forces in diverse terrains.
- Reinforces India’s profile as a net security partner in West Asia.
Conclusion
DESERT CYCLONE–II is a bilateral India–UAE mechanised infantry exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening defence cooperation in desert warfare conditions.
