An Indian Air Force contingent comprising of 110 Air Warriors has arrived at Al Dhafra airbase of United Arab Emirates for participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII.

• 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. 
• Exercise Desert Flag is a multilateral air exercise in which Air Forces from UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea, and USA would also be participating. The exercise is scheduled from 27 Feb 23 to 17 Mar 23. 
• The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse fighter engagements and learn from the best practices of various Air Forces.