France is a strategic alliance to Kuwait and the defense cooperation between the two countries is greatly supported by the political and military leadership, said of Head of the Fifth Pearl of West drill's organizing committee Colonel Mohammad Abdullah Al-Kandri in a joint press conference with head of the French forces partaking in the exercise.
Al-Kandari added that the Kuwaiti-French military cooperation agreement signed in the 1990s and amended in 2009 aims to guarantee the highest level of coordination and the development of joint defense plans as well as holding of joint training exercises.
He described the Pearl of the West, held during the period 15-27 November, as one of the main exercises of the Kuwaiti Army with Armies of friendly countries.
Al-Kandari underscored the importance of the drill in raising the efficiency, enriching the experience and improving the readiness of Kuwaiti Army personnel.
He pointed out that the Air, Land and Naval Forces are participating in the exercise which simulates military dealing with different kinds of threats. He noted that over 170 French Officers are contributing to the drill.
For his part, the French official said that Pearl of West is a major drill that aims to train army leaders and the army general staff members on the operations running.
He stated that the joint command of the exercise will work together to plan solutions to the different operational challenges and circumstances.
He expressed admirations of the performance and skills of the Kuwait personnel partaking in the exercise.
The first edition of the Pearl of West drill was held in 1996 in implementation of the defense cooperation agreement signed between the two countries.
Photo: Head of the Fifth Pearl of West drill's organizing committee Colonel Mohammad Abdullah Al-Kandri (left) with Head of the French Forces (right) during the press conference (KUNA)
