NEW DELHI: UAE Air Force is holding exercise \u2018Desert Flag\u2019 from March 3 to 21 at the Al-Dhafra airbase in the Gulf region. India is participating in the exercise for the first time along with the air forces of the UAE, US, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain. It is a three week long exercise which will be coordinated by the air warfare centre which is located at the Al Dhafra air base in United Arab Emirates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indian Air Force is taking part in the event with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft. Two C-17s fighters of the IAF would also be joining the Indian team for the exercise in order to help in induction and de-induction. The Su-30 MKI aircraft will undertake a long-range ferry, routing directly from India to the exercise area with aerial refuelling support from the IL-78 tanker aircraft.<\/span><\/p>\n According to a report, the joint exercise will witness the entire range of offensive and defensive operations with force-enhancers like AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) and flight-refuelling aircraft in a realistic combat setting.<\/span><\/p>\n Commenting on the development an IAF official said, \u201cParticipation in the exercise will go a long way in providing operational exposure to the participating forces and train them to carry out simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment.\u201d \u201cThe aim of ongoing exercise \u2018Desert Flag\u2019 is to provide a platform for mutual exchange of best practices and offer an excellent prospect to participating forces to increase their operational capabilities,\u201d he added.\u00a0 Participation of IAF in Desert Flag VI, comes close on the heels <\/span>after successful involvement in the American \u2018Red Flag\u2019 in 2016, the Israeli \u2018Blue Flag\u2019 in 2017 and the Australian \u2018Pitch Black\u2019 wargames in 2018.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To Boost International Co-operation & Operational Preparedness of IAF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NEW DELHI: UAE Air Force is holding exercise \u2018Desert Flag\u2019 from March 3 to 21 at the Al-Dhafra airbase in the Gulf region. India is participating in the exercise for the first time along with the air forces of the UAE, US, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain. It is a three week long exercise which will be coordinated by the air warfare centre which is located at the Al Dhafra air base in United Arab Emirates.\u00a0 Indian Air Force is taking part in the event with six Su-30 MKI,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"yoast_head":"\n