The UAE and Egyptian navies have embarked on a 10-day joint marine drill in Emirati waters as part of the countries' Zayed 3 military exercise programme.
Zayed 3 was launched in May, and has also featured land and air elements. It is the third such joint exercise between the UAE and Egypt since 2014.
The marine component is being undertaken to “strengthen joint action … exchange expertise, and contribute to further enhancing joint marine co-ordination and co-operation with the aim of continued assimilation and understanding of new tactics, gear and equipment”, said UAE state news agency Wam.
It involves training on conducting marine operations, protecting critical infrastructure and supporting national defence.
“The UAE and Egypt have strong overall relations, reinforced by their military co-operation and continuing military exercises in three main areas: land, sea and air,” said Wam.
“UAE-Egypt ties are based on a mutual understanding of regional and international challenges, as well as the importance of dealing with these changes through co-ordinated and integrated policies aimed at maintaining regional security.”
Zayed 3 was launched on May 21, with joint ground force exercises that continued until June 20.
Joint exercises between the UAE Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force were conducted in the first half of August.
These included training for operating joint air missions, air combat strategies and exchanges of expertise.
There were also joint flights by multi-purpose fighter aircraft and training missions involving attacking enemy targets and defending vital locations.
