Desert Cyclone-II focuses on urban combat, interoperability between India and UAE

The second edition of India-UAE Joint Military Exercise, Desert Cyclone-II, is progressing with intensive joint training at Al-Hamra, with troops from both the nations undertaking a rigorous mix of classroom instruction and field-based modules, the army spokesperson has said.

The exercise which started on Dec 18 at Abu Dhabi, UAE, has the Indian contingent comprising of 45 personnel, primarily from a battalion of The Mechanised Infantry Regiment. The UAE Land Forces contingent, of similar strength, are being represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.

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In a statement issued here today, the spokesperson said that the ongoing training focuses on core urban combat fundamentals, including the marking and clearing of buildings, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, first aid and structured mission planning, aimed at enhancing interoperability and developing common operating procedures in built-up areas.
As the exercise advances, troops are executing progressive practical drills in urban terrain, covering room intervention, building clearance and platoon-level joint assault exercises. Joint drills on room intervention and clearance have been exchanged between both armies and subsequently rehearsed to standardise tactics, techniques and procedures.
The training will culminate in integrated offensive and defensive urban operations, reinforcing coordinated action, mutual trust and operational readiness for sub-conventional contingencies in an urban environment.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and further defence cooperation through joint training in an urban environment, with emphasis on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, including peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and stability operations, the statement read further.