Saudi Arabian forces have joined the 2018 Bright Star exercise along with military units from the US, Egypt, Greece, Britain, Jordan, the UAE, Italy and France.

:: Saudi Arabian forces have joined a US-Egyptian Bright Star exercise along with military units from Greece, Britain, Jordan, the UAE, Italy and France.

Observers from 16 other countries will monitor the exercise in Egypt, which is designed to strengthen military and security cooperation among the participating countries.

Col. Nasser bin Hatlin Al-Suhaimi, commanding officer of the Saudi force, said Saudi armed forces followed a pre-training curriculum to prepare for the joint exercise.

Al-Suhaimi said preparation for the Bright Star exercise included “integrated scenarios to unify the military concepts.”

Exercises included anti-terrorism operations, and fighting techniques on land and sea. Live ammunition was used in some drills.

Paratroopers and special security forces units have been assigned to carry out a number of major operational duties, including fighting in built-up areas, combating terrorism, piracy and air landings.