An Indian Army contingent has left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in the second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise, named DESERT CYCLONE-II, which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 18 to December 30, 2025. This exercise will feature a contingent of 45 personnel from the Indian Army, primarily drawn from a battalion of The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, and will be matched by a similar-sized group from the UAE Land Forces, represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
The primary objective of DESERT CYCLONE-II is to enhance interoperability and bolster defense cooperation between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces. The exercise aims to facilitate joint training within an urban environment, focusing on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate. This cooperative effort is designed to better prepare both forces for collaborative tasks in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations. During the nearly two-week duration of the exercise, troops from both nations will partake in a variety of tactical drills, including operations in built-up areas, heliborne missions, and thorough mission planning. The integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS techniques will also be a significant component, essential for conducting operations effectively in urban contexts.
The collaboration marks a continuation of the successful military engagements that followed the visits of high-ranking UAE military personnel, specifically the Commander of the UAE Land Forces on October 27-28, 2025, and the Commander of the UAE Presidential Guard from December 15-19, 2025. Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II represents a further deepening of bilateral defense cooperation between India and the UAE, highlighting their strategic partnership and military diplomacy. This ongoing collaboration reaffirms both nations’ shared dedication to regional peace, security, and stability, while also strengthening professional relationships between their respective armies. Through this exercise, the two nations aim to promote mutual understanding of tactics, techniques, and procedures and advance interoperable capabilities for future operations.