The Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Royal Saudi Air Force and Border Guards launched on Sunday the “Red Wave 8” joint naval exercise at the King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet.
Several armed forces from countries overlooking the Red Sea are taking part in the drill, including Sudan, Djibouti and Mauritania, as well as Pakistan.
The exercise is part of the joint military cooperation between them and efforts to protect vital waterways.
Military leaders from the participating countries attended the launch on Sunday. The drill will conclude on Thursday with field demonstrations that reflect the level of coordination and preparedness of the forces.
Commander of Saudi Arabia's Western Fleet Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid told Asharq Al-Awsat that the drill is part of a series of others carried out by the naval forces with the aim of raising combat readiness and developing capabilities.
He said the Red Sea was chosen for the exercise given its strategic depth and economic importance to regional countries.
The Red Sea is among the world’s most vital waterways and securing it is an Arab and international responsibility, he stressed.
The Red Wave 8 drill includes training in implementing tactical concepts, as well as cyberwarfare and combating attacks by speedboats. Forces will be trained in counter-terrorism; fighting piracy, smuggling and illegal migration; and protecting marine shipping lanes.
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.
