The United States and its allies took part in the Spears of Victory 2025 exercise in Saudi Arabia earlier this year to reinforce regional and global security and deepen military collaboration.

Saudi Arabia hosted the exercise -- led by the Royal Saudi Air Force -- at King Abdulaziz Air Base between January 26 and February 6.

The annual drills included 70 aircraft from 15 countries, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

Spears of Victory, which is designed to improve teamwork, interoperability and tactics among participating nations, has a well-established history as a key multinational military training operation in the region.

The exercise has grown in scale and complexity over the years, integrating cutting-edge technology and new military tactics.

The fifth iteration of the drills demonstrated a comprehensive approach to modern warfare, incorporating conventional combat training, aerial maneuvers, cyber warfare simulations, and counterterrorism drills.

Air drills, cybersecurity

The presence of F-16 fighter jets from multiple nations was a key feature of this year's exercise.

The F-16 flies in 27 countries, making it a key vehicle for operations between allies. The aircraft, known for its versatility and combat effectiveness, plays a crucial role in air superiority and tactical operations.

The exercise also featured support aircraft, including tankers like the US Air Force's KC-135s.

Joint aerial exercises included air-to-air combat drills, precision strike missions, and coordinated maneuvers designed to enhance multinational air force cooperation.

The 2025 edition of the exercise also placed significant emphasis on modern warfare, recognizing the increasing threats posed by cyber-attacks and electronic warfare.

Cybersecurity experts from the United States and allied nations conducted drills focusing on protecting critical infrastructure, defending against digital threats and enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

The inclusion of cyber warfare highlights the growing need for military forces to adapt to emerging challenges in the digital battlefield.

Multilateral ties

Spears of Victory fosters teamwork by allowing military personnel from different countries to operate alongside one another, sharing tactics, techniques and best practices.

This not only strengthens multilateral defense ties but also ensures that allied forces can seamlessly integrate their efforts in real-world security scenarios.

Meanwhile, the strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States, rooted in shared interests, continues to thrive through a collective focus on regional peace and security and extensive bilateral military cooperation.

The two nations regularly take part in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises, including major drills such as Red Flag, Eagle Resolve and Red Sands.

US-Saudi cooperation also has included special exercises such as Native Fury, a biennial exercise in which US and Saudi troops work together on strategic access and refined command and control.