What is Ex-Desert Knight 21?

India and France will be conducting a five-day mega air exercise called ‘Ex-Desert Knight 21’ near Jodhpur. The two sides are expected to engage in complex maneuvering of Rafale jets in a bid to boost the operational coordination. The objective of this exercise is to provide operational exposure and share best practices to enhance combat capabilities. This comes amid the border standoff between India and China at the eastern Ladakh.