Exercise Desert Cyclone II, a joint military exercise between India and the United Arab Emirates, has commenced in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to run from December 18 to 30, 2025. This exercise, featuring 45 personnel from the Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment alongside a similar contingent from the U.A.E. Land Forces, aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding of tactics in urban warfare and sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate. Key activities include joint mission planning and the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), reflecting the evolving nature of modern military operations. This exercise underscores the strengthening defense cooperation and military diplomacy between India and the U.A.E., pivotal for regional stability in the West Asian context.