The mixed bilateral naval exercise ‘Indigo Defender-21’ between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the US Navy in the Western Fleet was launched Sunday.

The Assistant Commander of the Western Fleet, Commander of the exercise, Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid, and Naval Colonel Daniel Bailey of the US Navy were present at this launch, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The exercise Commander explained that the maneuvers, which will last for ten days, aim to strengthen relations and military cooperation, raise the level of combat readiness between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the US Navy, and exchange experiences in the field of port protection, removing mines on land and underwater, in addition to contribute to the development of security capabilities by protecting the safety of the seas and regional and international waterways, to ensure freedom of maritime in the Red Sea.