The Royal Saudi Naval Forces, in coordination with the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Border Guards, launched the “Red Wave 8” joint naval exercise on Sunday at the King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet.

The large-scale exercise brings together several regional and international partners, including armed forces from countries bordering the Red Sea such as Sudan, Djibouti, and Mauritania, as well as Pakistan. The drill aims to enhance joint military cooperation, strengthen regional maritime security, and protect vital international waterways.

Military leaders from all participating nations attended the opening ceremony. The exercise is scheduled to conclude on Thursday with comprehensive field demonstrations showcasing the operational coordination and preparedness of the forces.

Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid, Commander of Saudi Arabia’s Western Fleet, stated that the “Red Wave 8” drill is part of a continuing series of exercises designed to raise combat readiness and improve interoperability among allied naval forces. He emphasized that the Red Sea’s strategic location and economic significance made it an ideal setting for such a joint exercise.

“The Red Sea is one of the world’s most vital waterways, and its security is both an Arab and international responsibility,” Al-Juaid said, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring maritime stability in the region.

The “Red Wave 8” exercise includes training in tactical operations, cyberwarfare, counter-terrorism, and defense against speedboat attacks. It also covers anti-piracy operations, the prevention of smuggling and illegal migration, and the protection of commercial shipping routes.

Admiral Al-Juaid highlighted that the drill reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening collective naval security through unified capabilities and shared responses to maritime threats. He added that these efforts are in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which identifies regional security and marine stability as key strategic priorities. (ILKHA)