A bilateral Air Force exercise between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) is underway at Al-Dhafra Air Base in UAE from 24 May 16 to 03 Jun 16. Ex-Desert Eagle-I with UAE Air Force was held at the same location in Sep 08. Su-30 MkI of the Indian Air Force and Mirage 2000-9, F-16 of UAE Air Force are participating in the exercise. The exercise will be played under multiple simulated scenarios.

Exchange sorties for aircrew of both the Air Forces have also been planned. Participation in such exercises enables Indian Air Force to fly against multiple types of platforms. These air combat exercises provide exposure towards mission planning and execution in a simulated high threat combat environment besides building up crew confidence and bonhomie with friendly Air Forces of India and United Arab Emirates.

Did You Know?

• India is building the 5th generation Sukhoi PAK FA in collaboration with Russia.
• The IAF got its first woman Air Marshal in the form of Padmavathy Bandopadhyay.
• The first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst, made the IAF an independent service under no control of the Army.
• The honourary rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force is the highest achievable rank, and is equivalent to the rank of Field Marshal of the Indian Army.
• With 16 air bases, the Western Air Command is the largest Air Command.
• At 22,000 ft (or 6,706 m), Siachen Glacier AFS is the highest Air Force Station of the IAF.