UAE is hosting 3-week long Exercise Desert Flag VIII.
It is a multilateral air exercise involving the participation of UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, the UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, the Republic of Korea, and the US.
It aims to bring about the interoperability of different fighter engagements and sharing of best practices of various Air Forces.
The IAF would be participating with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
This is the first occasion when the LCA Tejas shall participate in an international flying exercise outside India.