Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023 has kicked off in the United Kingdom, where the Royal Saudi Air Force is taking part with six Typhoon aircraft, alongside air forces from friendly countries.

Commander of the Saudi Air Force participating in the exercise Lieutenant Colonel Pilot Atallah bin Hamid Al-Asimi said that such exercises aim to increase the combat readiness of air forces and help exchange expertise with participating forces, to enhance the efficiency of the air, technical, and assisting personnel, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Cobra Warrior, which is the Royal Air Force’s largest air exercise and takes place twice a year in the UK, is designed to train participants in high-intensity, large-scale tactical air warfighting operations. The exercise, which will be directed by staff at RAF Waddington, runs from March 2 to March 24 and involves 70 aircraft.

Group Captain Mark Lorriman-Hughes, the RAF Waddington Station Commander, expressed his delight in welcoming international colleagues to RAF Waddington, emphasizing the value of this biannual event as an opportunity for international allies to train together and develop operational tactics in the air, the Royal Air Force, UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement prior to the exercise.

This year, the Finnish, Indian, and Royal Saudi Air Forces are participating for the first time. The Saudis will fly six Typhoons from RAF Coningsby, while the Indian Air Force will fly five Mirage 2000. The Belgian Air Force will have six F-16s based at RAF Waddington, and the Finnish Air Force will have six F-18s. The Finnish participation is part of a larger training activity in support of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, known as JEF Warrior.

RAF Voyager aircraft, flying from RAF Brize Norton, will provide air-to-air refuelling support for the fast jets. Additionally, UK Joint Helicopter Command aircraft will participate, basing at RAF Leeming.

The RAF’s Air Mobility Force will also take part in the exercise, deploying elements of 16 Air Assault Bde during an associated ground mission as part of the overall exercise scenario, the statement added. (SPA; Royal Air Force/UK MoD; Photo © UK MoD)