Egypt, Spain conduct naval exercise in Red Sea

CAIRO – 25 June 2020: The Egyptian and Spanish navies on Thursday conducted a second joint military exercise in a month in the Red Sea, through Egyptian frigate "Suez" and Spanish frigate "Numancia," the Egyptian Military spokesman Tamer Al-Refae said.

The exercise took place at Berenice Military Base in the Southern Fleet’s zone, where Egypt and Spain conducted naval exercise earlier in June. Berenice is the largest military base in the Red Sea, the Middle East and North Africa and the second of its kind in Egypt.

The joint exercise came as part of Egypt’s Army’s plan to boost military cooperation and expertise exchange with friendly countries.

The training complied by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The first exercise included the Egyptian frigate “Suez” and the Spanish frigate "SANTA MARIA".

The training reflected the high competitiveness and fighting capabilities, as well as the combating readiness of the Egyptian naval troops. It featured air defense drills against hostile aerial targets, along with maritime attack deterrence formations and a re-supply drill.

On January 22, Activities of the maritime exercise, "Morgan-16", were launched in the Red Sea between the Saudi Royal Navy and the Egyptian Naval Forces. The drills will last for several days.

The "Morgan-16" exercise falls within a series of joint exercises between the two countries, and includes many exercises that enhance maritime security measures in the region.

Several Arab and African countries participate in the exercise as observers.