Egyptian and Saudi forces started Wednesday joint naval training activities in Egypt s Red Sea, Egypt s Army spokesman said in a statement.
The multi-day training, dubbed Morgan 16, aims to "enhance the skills and capabilities of the participating forces … raise combat efficiency of naval forces of both brotherly countries and identify the latest maritime armament systems used in the region," the statement said.
Observers from a number of Arab and African countries are taking part in the drills.
The training is part of a broader plan for joint military training between the Egyptian and Saudi armed forces designed to "enhance maritime security measures in the region through training on joint action to confront current and future threats and unify the concepts of naval combat actions of brotherly and friendly countries bordering the Red Sea," it added.
The training activities involve theoretical lectures and training seminars, several tactical shooting exercises for special forces, including using small arms and conducting raids on a coastal target with live ammunition alongside sniper units.
