RIYADH — The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and the US Navy on Sunday kicked off Indigo Defender-21, a 10-day joint naval exercise with Saudi Arabia's Western Fleet.

Assistant Commander of the Western Fleet and Commander of the exercise Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid and Naval Colonel Daniel Bailey of the US Navy were present at the launching ceremony of the exercise.

Admiral Al-Juaid explained that the maneuvers, which will last for ten days, aim to strengthen relations and military cooperation, raise the level of combat readiness between the two navies.

It also aims to exchange expertise in the field of port protection, clearing land and underwater mines, and contribute to developing security capabilities by protecting and securing the regional and international waterways to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. — SG/SPA