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| Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and US Marine Corps Begin Joint Exercises |
International Military - The Royal Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and the United States Marine Corps on Saturday (13/8/2022) launched a joint exercise along the Red Sea coast in the western city of Yanbu. This was disclosed by the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Quoted from Arab News, the joint exercise titled “Outrageous Anger 22” was officiated in the presence of Major General Ahmed Al-Dibais, Commander of the Western Sector, and Major General Paul Rock, commander of the Marine Corps at US Central Command, as well as senior officers from the Saudi Armed Forces and the Armed Forces. US Army.
Colonel Saud Al-Aqili, the exercise commander explained that the exercise aims to train the implementation of bilateral operational and logistical plans, exchange expertise between the two sides, and develop complementary work with civil authorities.
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| A US soldier briefing the Marine Corps and Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia |
Colonel Matthew Hakula, commander of US forces, said the joint maneuvers would increase combat readiness, as well as strengthen compatibility between Saudi and US forces. The month-long drill includes logistical and live-fire operations. Saudi Arabia and the US are close allies.
The two regularly conduct joint exercises to improve coordination in the security sector. The US also supplies weapons to the Saudi Royal Armed Forces. The US State Department has reportedly approved the sale of 300 Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia in a $3.05 billion deal.
In a statement issued by the Pentagon, the US said that Riyadh requested the PATRIOT MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical Ballistic Missiles (GEM-T) missile. The sale will include other tools and test equipment. The prime contractor is US-based Raytheon.
Quoted from Al Arabiya, the Pentagon said "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security goals of the United States by enhancing the security of partner countries that are a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region."