IRIA News

Air Forces of the United Kingdom, United States, France, Greece, and Pakistan joined the Middle East nations for a multinational air warfare training exercise hosted by Saudi Arabia. The Middle East partners included Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The multinational exercise “Spears of Victory” kicked off on February 6 and will continue until February 18, 2024. It will be held in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

The exercise aims to help the participating air forces increase their tactical proficiency, interoperability, and ability to plan and execute complex missions together in a contested air environment.

Various branches of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s military are participating in the exercise with contingents of partner nations at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

انطلاق تمرين «رماح النصر 2024» في مركز الحرب الجوي بالقطاع الشرقي، بمشاركة أفرع #القوات_المسلحة ووزارة الحرس الوطني ورئاسة أمن الدولة إلى جانب قوات 9 دول شقيقة وصديقة. pic.twitter.com/tUtqkWCB4b

— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) February 6, 2024

UK Royal Air Force (RAF) XI (Fighter) Squadron’s Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft, Royal Saudi Air Force’s Typhoons, Tornado combat aircraft, and F-15 jets, Oman’s Typhoons, as well as Greece, UAE, and Bahrain’s F-16 fighter jets, are participating in the exercise.

Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft and the French Air and Space detachment’s Rafale fighter jets are also participating and set to conduct a variety of missions during the two-week exercise in Saudi Arabia.

The United States has sent a mixed unit of National Guardsmen for the exercise. This year, the U.S. detachment is not participating in flying drills instead they would provide a range of ground support activities, including Fire Fighters Security, and logisticians to support the exercise.

Apart from the various fighter jets, this year various other military aircraft will support the exercise, including transport aircraft, aerial refueling planes, Airborne Early Warning (AEW) systems aircraft, and helicopters.

The exercise will encompass training in Command and Control, mission planning, and integration, ensuring a superior level of training for all participants. The “Spears of Victory” will also incorporate both “real and simulated air defense” scenarios, with each nation assuming the role of ‘aggressor’ during the training.

UK Detachment Commander Squadron Leader Hodgkinson said, “Spears of Victory 24 is an extremely important training opportunity for our force enablers to work alongside strategic partners in the region to demonstrate the Combat Air capacity of our highly trained pilots and engineers in the Typhoon Force.”

Hodgkinson added, “Now, as much as never before, we strive for excellence in air dominance – collaborating with allies that have come together in a demonstration of their commitment to stability in the Broader Middle East.”

According to the UK RAF statement, during Exercise Spears of Victory, the participating countries will be conducting “defensive counter air and offensive counter air operations, as well as air interdiction training against live and simulated threats.”

The Royal Air Force statement highlighted that “The objective is to test the reactions of pilots in a variety of situations in a challenging air environment.”

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) also released a statement highlighting that the exercise will offer an opportunity to strengthen interoperability within the participating Air Forces in the backdrop of shared aerial defense challenges.

According to the PAF statement, the Pakistan Air Force contingent will demonstrate its “enhanced combat potential at the exercise alongside its JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, dedicated air and ground crew.”

“The participation not only highlights PAF’s commitment to regional and international cooperation but also underscores its capabilities and prowess to operate in diverse and challenging environments,” the PAF statement added.

Spears of Victory made its debut in 2022 under the command of the Royal Saudi Air Force. This year marks the fourth version of the exercise. The exercise is aimed at fostering military relations and provides a platform to practice integrated employment of combat and combat support assets with formulation and validation of tactics against modern threats.