The Royal Saudi Navy (RSNF)'s Western Fleet Royal Saudi Air Force and Border Guards has launched on Sunday Exercise Red Wave 8 at the King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet.
From flags on display at the opening ceremony in Jeddah, Djibouti, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan and the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) of Yemen are amongst the nations participating in the exercise.
The operational focus of the training appears to be to protect vital waterways. countering piracy and the Houthi rebels threat, both in the Red Sea and in border areas.
Military leaders from the participating countries attended the launch of the drill which will conclude on Thursday with field demonstrations that reflect the level of coordination and preparedness of the forces.
The Red Wave 8 drill includes training in implementing tactical concepts, as well as cyber warfare and combating attacks by speedboats. Forces will be trained in counter-terrorism; fighting piracy, smuggling and illegal migration; and protecting marine shipping lanes.
Commander of Saudi Arabia's Western Fleet Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid said “the Red Wave 8 drill reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to bolstering collective naval security through building joint capacities and unifying efforts in confronting any threats to waterways or vital infrastructure in the Red Sea, all in line with Saudi Vision 2030 that places regional security and marine stability as strategic priorities.