UNIPATH STAFF
To test joint interoperability with other Saudi relevant components, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces conducted in January 2023 the five-day naval exercise Tasaddi 5 at King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail.
Personnel from the Saudi Eastern Naval Fleet, Eastern Province border guard and the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Aramco, took part in the joint exercise on the Arabian Gulf.
The exercise consisted of classes, hypothetical scenarios, training on naval mines clearance, defending vital installations and oil fields, and handling unmanned surface vehicles and drones.
“The exercise aimed to increase the readiness of participants, strengthen joint operations, raise levels of coordination, improve information sharing, enhance joint leadership and communications, promote security and safety of vital installations and oil fields, and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf,” exercise director Rear Adm. Khalid Al-Shammari said.
In the realm of air defense, Saudi Arabia also hosted the two-week multinational military exercise Tuwaiq 3 in December 2022 at Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj. That three-phase exercise included a variety of scenarios and military operations that simulate the current and potential challenges to air forces.
Tuwaiq 3 aimed to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise, raise the level of training on planning and executing tactical airlift missions, and test operational readiness to carry out tactical airdrop missions.
Air forces from nine countries participated in the exercise: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“At the outset, I would like, on behalf of the commander of the Air Force, to welcome our brothers from Arab and friendly countries participating in Tuwaiq exercise,” said Staff Maj. Gen. Talal bin Suleiman Al-Ghamdi, deputy commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force. “Prince Sultan Air Base in the central sector has harnessed all capabilities to host participants and help them achieve the objectives of the exercise.” Sources: Saudi Press Agency, arabnews.com. YouTube