The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), in coordination with the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the Border Guards, launched the “Red Wave 8” joint naval exercise on Sunday at the King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet.
The exercise will continue for several days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of Naval Forces from five countries bordering the Red Sea, namely: Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, and Djibouti.
Military leaders from all participating nations attended the opening ceremony. The exercise is scheduled to conclude on Thursday with comprehensive field demonstrations showcasing the operational coordination and preparedness of the forces.
The exercise includes a series of theoretical and practical lectures aimed at unifying concepts of joint operations among the participating forces, as well as planning and executing combined naval operations.
The exercise also focuses on training to counter unconventional maritime threats, thereby enhancing operational skills and fostering the exchange of expertise among the participating units, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The exercise aligns with continuous efforts to enhance regional military cooperation, exchange expertise, and raise the readiness of its naval units within the joint defense system. The efforts contribute to strengthening maritime security in the Red Sea region and consolidating joint military cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stated.
Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid, Commander of Saudi Arabia’s Western Fleet, stated that the “Red Wave 8” drill is part of a continuing series of exercises designed to raise combat readiness and improve interoperability among allied naval forces. He emphasized that the Red Sea’s strategic location and economic significance made it an ideal setting for such a joint exercise.
“The Red Sea is one of the world’s most vital waterways, and its security is both an Arab and international responsibility,” Al-Juaid said, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring maritime stability in the region.
In another development, the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force are continuing their participation in the Aerial Warfare and Missile Defense Center Exercise (ATLC-35), held in the UAE, alongside forces from several allied and friendly nations.
As one of the most prominent joint air exercises in the region, ATLC-35 aims to enhance combat readiness, strengthen operational planning and execution capabilities, and simulate realistic air and missile warfare scenarios.
The Royal Saudi Air Force is taking part with Tornado aircraft, with its aircrews conducting a range of advanced training missions, including defensive and offensive air operations, combat search and rescue, night flight operations, and aerial refueling.
The exercise forms part of a broader series of air drills designed to exchange expertise, refine air combat tactics, and reinforce military cooperation among participating nations.(SPA; Egyptian Ministry of Defense; File Photo: Red Wave-7 Naval Exercise © SPA)
