JEDDAH, Oct 18 (KUNA) -- Saudi Assistant Commander of the Western Fleet, Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid said that the mixed bilateral naval exercise Indigo Defender - 21 between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the US Navy in the Western Fleet aimed to strengthen relations and military cooperation.
According to the Saudi News Agency (SPA), Al-Juaid explained in a statement that the maneuvers were launched yesterday, in the presence of the Naval Colonel Daniel Bailey of the US Navy, which will last for ten days.
It aimed 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.
He added that these maneuvers aim 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. (end) nsa.bb