A number of recent security partnerships with Gulf nations show that India has been deepening its military ties with the Middle Eastern region. Indian military forces have recently taken part in a number of joint drills with the armed forces of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
In order to take part in the International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023, which is taking place in the Gulf region from February 26 to March 16 of 2023, INS Trikand has moored at Bahrain’s Mina Salman harbour. The exercise’s goals are to increase maritime security and guarantee the region’s shipping corridors are safe. The drill is being taken part in by more than 50 countries and international marine organizations. The Indian Navy is taking part in IMX for the first time, and this is the second time an Indian naval ship has taken part in an exercise run by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
A Kalvari-class Scorpene submarine named INS Vela entered Port Salalah, Oman, on February 28, ready for an operational test. The visit serves as a testament to the two nations’ close and multifaceted ties, as well as their shared commitment to boosting marine security in the area. The “Naseem Al Bahr” bilateral naval drills between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been going on for a while.
For its first combat exercise, Exercise Desert Flag VIII, in a foreign country, five Indian Tejas aircraft and two C-17 Globemasters landed at Al Dhafra air base in the United Arab Emirates on February 25. The exercise has started and will continue through March 17.
On February 26, eight Indian Air Force aircraft made a historic maiden landing at a base of the Royal Saudi Air Force, beginning a new era in their defence cooperation. On their route to the Cobra Warrior 23 Exercise in the UK, the Indian contingent, which included 145 Air Warriors, made an overnight stop in the Kingdom with its complement of 05 MIRAGE, 02 C17, and 01 IL-78 tankers.
The Indian Navy patrol ship INS Sumedha landed in Abu Dhabi on February 20 to take part in the Naval Defense Exhibition and International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2023).
Caracal from the EDGE group and Icomm from India signed a collaboration licensing deal at IDEX to create a line of homegrown small weapons for the Indian market. It represents the first transfer of small weapons technology from the UAE to India. By this agreement, India will be able to produce the cutting-edge small weapons systems made by Caracal, which have been employed by the UAE Military Forces and law enforcement organizations. This action is anticipated to further solidify defence ties between the UAE and India and boost the “Make in India” initiative.
Under the astute leadership of both nations, the India-UAE defence relationship has improved recently. Currently, the connection is dotted with frequent visits between India and the UAE in the defence industry, including ongoing cooperative training. Both nations are looking into joint production, which will strengthen India’s bilateral partnership with the UAE in the defence industry, according to Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE.
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