SPA.
Jeddah: The joint naval exercise, Red Wave 5 of the Western Fleet, by Saudi Naval Forces ended off the coast of Jeddah. The nations adjacent to the Red Sea, such as Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti and Yemen, participated in the exercise, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Somalia was an observer in the exercise.
In the exercise, the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Royal Saudi Air Force and naval units of the Saudi Border Guards took part. Adm. Yahya bin Mohammed Al-Asiri, the commander of the Western Fleet Rear, had led the event.
Yahya said that Red Wave 5 staged many combat training, including the clearance of fortified sites, intrusion and live-fire shooting with combat aircraft and helicopters were used to do tactical tasks in order to meet the joint task principle.
He further said that the event was held to boost military cooperation, unify concepts, raise combat preparedness and exchange experience. These would help in upgrading security capabilities in protecting sea, land and international water passages and also guarantee maritime navigation in the Red Sea.
In May, Indian Navy vessels of INS Tir and INS Sujata, along with Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi, reached Jeddah for a training exchange. Arab News reported that the exercise happens when India-Saudi defence relations grow.
In February, Royal Saudi Naval Force's fleets took part in "Milan 2022" in the Bay of Bengal off coast India. The event was participated by 40 countries.