Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the US Navy conducted a key training exercise in May, further strengthening the US-Saudi strategic partnership and advancing joint efforts to ensure maritime security across regional waterways.

Nautical Defender 25 was the capstone event of a series of multinational maritime security exercises designed to broaden cooperation, support regional security and enhance military to military interoperability.

Held at King Abdulaziz naval base in Jubail, it included a series of complex maritime and littoral operations that brought together US and Saudi forces in coordinated training to respond to evolving maritime threats.

Scenarios ranged from mine countermeasures and explosive ordnance disposal to search and rescue operations, live-fire drills and boardings of hostile vessels.

Units trained in both day and night environments to simulate real-world operational tempos.

The drill also included unmanned systems and underwater vehicles, allowing both forces to operate emerging technologies alongside traditional naval assets.

By training together, US and Saudi forces reaffirmed their ability to deter threats ranging from smuggling and piracy to sabotage and state-sponsored aggression.

Longstanding partnership

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.

Nautical Defender is part of a long-running series of US-Saudi exercises designed to strengthen regional security.

The two nations regularly take part in bilateral and multilateral military training maneuvers, 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 regional biennial exercise in which US and Saudi troops work together on strategic access and refined command and control.

The United States and its allies also took part in the multinational Spears of Victory 25 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 in January and February.

The US participation in the kingdom's multinational military exercises signals its shared commitment to regional security and lasting cooperation.

Each training event adds new depth to the bilateral defense relationship and strengthens the ability of both nations to respond to crises together.