• The third edition of Exercise Cyclone 2025, a joint military exercise between Special Forces of India and Egypt, began at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan on February 10.

• The 14-day exercise aims to enhance defence cooperation between India and Egypt by sharing professional skills and improving interoperability of special forces in desert environments.

• Counter-terrorism operations, reconnaissance, raids, and other specialised missions will be part of the exercises which will also involve special forces skills like sniping, combat free fall, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target designation. 

• The Indian Army contingent is represented by personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).

• The Egyptian contingent includes the Egyptian Commando Squadron and the Egyptian Airborne Platoon. 

• Exercise CYCLONE is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.

• ‘Desert Warrior’ is another bilateral exercise conducted between air forces of both countries.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)