The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) are continuing their participation in the “Air and Missile War Center Exercise” (ATLC-35), hosted by Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, with wide participation from other nations.
The ATLC-35 exercise is considered one of the most important joint aerial drills in the region. It aims to raise the combat readiness of air and technical crews, enhance operational planning and execution capabilities in simulated environments close to real war conditions, in addition to exchanging expertise and developing joint aerial combat methods.
The Saudi Air Force is participating in the exercise with Tornado aircraft, along with all their air, technical, and support crews, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The air crews are performing complex training missions, including defensive and offensive air operations, Close Air Support (CAS) missions, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, and night flying operations, including tactical night drops and aerial refueling operations.
These drills come at a time when de-escalation efforts in Yemen are experiencing a state of stagnation and setback despite the current back channel consultations in the Sultanate of Oman, with increasing Houthi statements suggesting the collapse of the truce and a return to military escalation.