Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II: India and UAE Advance Joint Urban Combat Training at Al-Hamra

NEW DELHI, December 22, 2025 — The second edition of the India–UAE Joint Military Exercise, known as Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II, is currently underway in the UAE, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

Running from December 18 to 30, 2025, the exercise features an Indian contingent of 45 personnel, primarily from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, training alongside the UAE’s 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion. The primary objective is to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, focusing on mission-critical tasks such as peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations in complex urban environments.

The training is currently progressing at Al-Hamra, where troops from both nations are engaged in a rigorous curriculum of classroom instruction and field-based tactical modules. Key focus areas include mastering urban combat fundamentals, such as building clearance, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, and structured mission planning.

These exercises are specifically designed to develop common operating procedures, ensuring that both forces can coordinate effectively in built-up areas.As the exercise advances toward its final stages, the troops are executing practical, high-intensity drills involving room intervention and platoon-level joint assaults. By exchanging and rehearsing tactical techniques, the Indian Army and UAE Land Forces are standardizing their procedures to ensure seamless integration.

The exercise will culminate in a series of integrated offensive and defensive urban operations, reinforcing mutual trust and operational readiness for future sub-conventional contingencies.