The mixed naval exercise “Red Wave-7” kicked off Saturday at King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet, with the participation of countries bordering the Red Sea, including Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti, and Yemen, in addition to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Royal Saudi Air Force, and units of the Saudi Border Guard.

The drill will last for several days. “Red Wave” exercises were first launched in 2018, and are held annually.

Commander of the Western Fleet Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid said that the drill “Red Wave-7” aims to enhance the maritime security of the countries bordering the Red Sea and protect the territorial waters, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

He further explained that the drill implements the assumptions planned in three conferences in which officers from all the relevant countries participated, resulting in the formation of forces and a set of exercises that constitute an important training aspect for all participating countries.

Al-Juaid pointed out that the participating forces will implement over a period of five days all modern military concepts, including strategic lectures and exercises that simulate different combat environments resembling reality. The drill will achieve joint and mixed work, such as surface and air warfare, electronic warfare, and countering an attack by speedboats.

The forces will also implement maritime security exercises such as protecting shipping lines, combating smuggling, terrorism, piracy, and illegal immigration. He noted that all combat elements will be used through His Majesty's Ships, helicopters, fast response boats, navy infantry, and maritime special security forces, as well as various types of combat aircraft, he concluded.

In another development, the Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Riyadh with the Minister of State and Minister of Defense and Veterans of the Republic of Burkina Faso, Major General Kassoum Coulibaly.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed cooperation in the military and defense field. Additionally, they addressed the latest developments in the regional and international arenas, as well as the efforts made in this regard.

The meeting was attended by senior defense officials and military officers from both sides.