Saudi naval forces conclude Peace Winds exercise in Oman
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces concluded their active participation in the joint bilateral naval exercise “Winds of Peace,” held in the Sultanate of Oman with the Royal Navy of Oman. The closing ceremony was attended by a number of military leaders from both sides, reflecting the deep fraternal relations and growing military cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman.
The exercise, in its final stages, witnessed the execution of a series of complex operations, during which His Majesty's ships conducted precise live-fire missile and ammunition drills in the operational theater. This demonstrated a high level of combat efficiency and the ability to engage enemy targets with pinpoint accuracy. The exercise commander, Rear Admiral Mohammed bin Ayed Al-Otaibi, explained that the maneuvers achieved all their objectives, most notably the exchange of operational expertise and the standardization of military concepts in the areas of preparation, planning, and execution.
Enhancing regional maritime security
The “Peace Winds” exercises are of paramount strategic importance due to their vital geographical location, as the Sultanate of Oman oversees crucial global shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This cooperation falls within the framework of joint efforts by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to strengthen maritime security and ensure the safety of international shipping lanes, which are a vital artery for the global economy and energy transport.
The exercise included scenarios simulating modern threats, including countering maritime terrorism, responding to attacks by explosive-laden speedboats, and conducting electronic warfare operations. Such drills are crucial given the evolving security challenges in the region, necessitating constant readiness and a rapid response to any emergency that might threaten the security of waterways.
High professionalism and joint coordination
Participants from both the Saudi and Omani sides demonstrated an outstanding level of professionalism and discipline during the execution of various scenarios, which also included visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations, search and rescue operations, and maritime aviation support training. This type of training contributes to raising the combat readiness of naval crews and enhancing joint operational coordination, thus ensuring the integration of roles when required to conduct joint operations to protect national and regional interests.
The “Winds of Peace” exercise is an extension of a series of joint exercises carried out by the Saudi Armed Forces with their counterparts in brotherly and friendly countries, with the aim of raising combat readiness and acquiring the necessary field skills to confront various challenges, in order to achieve security and stability in the region.
