Victory Spears Exercise 2026: Air Force Commander inspects the progress of the maneuvers
His Royal Highness Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, today observed the progress of field operations and maneuvers of the joint air exercise "Spears of Victory 2026." These large-scale maneuvers are being conducted at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Sector, with broad participation from forces of several brotherly and friendly nations, reflecting the depth of military relations and the strength of the Kingdom's international partnerships.
An inspection tour to assess combat readiness
His Highness conducted a comprehensive inspection tour of the exercise sites, during which he received a detailed briefing and a precise explanation of the various phases of the exercise and the mechanism for executing complex air operations. He also reviewed the level of combat readiness and operational integration among all participating forces to ensure the achievement of the desired objectives of this large-scale military gathering. His Highness's tour included a visit to the advanced air base in Al-Ahsa Governorate (Hofuf), where he inspected vital facilities and the participating air and technical units and crews, praising the high morale and professionalism he witnessed among the participants.
Strategic importance and evolving military context
The 2026 "Spears of Victory" exercise is a continuation of the series of advanced air exercises that the Royal Saudi Air Force has consistently hosted and organized. The Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Sector, which is hosting these maneuvers, is one of the most advanced training centers in the region, providing a highly realistic combat environment that allows aircrews to test their capabilities in dealing with modern threats and complex electronic warfare scenarios.
This version is of particular importance in light of the accelerating regional and international challenges, as it aims to raise combat efficiency, exchange experiences between participating countries, and unify common military concepts, which enhances the ability of allied forces to work as a single bloc in the face of any emergency.
Deterrence messages and international partnerships
In a statement on this occasion, His Royal Highness the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force affirmed that Exercise "Spears of Victory 2026" is a landmark and one of the most prominent air exercises in the region. He noted that this event embodies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership in building strong military partnerships and alliances, and underscores its pivotal and active role in supporting the pillars of regional and international security and stability.
Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar explained that the exercise reflects the high level of professionalism and readiness that the Royal Saudi Air Force has reached, especially in the field of joint air operations command and managing complex operational environments that include multinational forces, which highlights the qualitative development in the command and control system.
A future vision for security and defense
His Highness concluded his statement by emphasizing that the Kingdom's continued hosting of this exercise annually, with broad international participation, reflects the immense organizational and operational capabilities of our armed forces, qualifying them to lead and manage major military exercises according to the highest international standards. He stressed that "Spears of Victory 2026" directly contributes to consolidating the concepts of military deterrence and enhancing joint readiness to deal with potential threats through an integrated approach, thus embodying the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to developing its defense capabilities and protecting its national achievements.
