India, France, and the UAE launched a major trilateral air combat exercise over the Arabian Sea on December 10, 2025, to strengthen defense cooperation and interoperability in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. The Indian Air Force deployed Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars from Gujarat bases like Jamnagar and Naliya, supported by IL-78 refuellers and AEW&C aircraft, while French and Emirati forces fielded Rafale and Mirage fighters from Al Dhafra airbase. Conducted approximately 200 nautical miles from Karachi, Pakistan, the two-day drill—following a similar “Desert Knight” exercise in December 2024—highlights India’s pivotal role in fostering regional stability through joint operations amid evolving security challenges. This partnership, formalized in 2022, extends to naval exercises and underscores New Delhi’s strategic leadership in multi-domain alliances for peace and prosperity.