UNIPATH STAFF
Ground forces from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and U.S. Task Force Spartan conducted the Arabian Gulf Firing Drill in November 2023 in the northern region of Hafr Al-Batin in Saudi Arabia.
Aiming to raise the level of combat readiness, hone the skills of participating troops in carrying out combined operations and unifying military concepts, the drill’s scenarios included battle management, planning and execution, tactical firing by mechanized infantry units, air support by army helicopters, medevac, explosive ordnance disposal, sniping, and irregular warfare operations.
Led by Royal Saudi Land Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Mutair, the drill’s final phase was attended by Kuwaiti Land Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Dhafiri and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, commanding general of U.S. Army Central.
Saudi Armed Forces regularly conduct joint exercises and host or participate in regional and international combined exercises, including Bright Star, Eager Lion, Lion of the South, Arabian Gulf Security and Peninsula Shield.
Saudi Arabia not only seeks to train and ready its military, but also to acquire the latest and most effective weaponry and equipment. As part of an economic diversification program, the country aims to localize 50% of military procurement by 2030.
With 257,000 active military personnel, a majority engaged in the Army, Saudi Arabia ranks fifth in the world in military spending at $75 billion annually.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Defense, elaph.com