Sudan, Saudi Arabia to Hold First Joint Air Force Drill
Sudanese and Saudi air forces will conduct joint military exercises this week in northern Sudan
Dan Arkin
| 28/03/2017
Photo: AFP
Sudanese and Saudi air forces will conduct joint military exercises this week in northern Sudan, reports the Sudan Tribune. The drills would begin on 29 March and last for two weeks to 9 April.
Dubbed "Blue Shield," the exercises, which will take place in Meroe, north of Khartoum, will involve some 250 Saudi air force members and over 450 of their Sudanese counterparts.
The Deputy Commander of Sudan’s Air Force Salah al-Din Abdel Khaliq said the purpose of the joint training is to improve the capabilities of the two air forces and their techniques during the operations against the Iranian-backed Yemen’s Houthis rebels.
The Sudanese general said Saudi F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and Sudanese MiG-29 and Sukhoi aircraft would participate in the joint drills.
Arab News adds that ties between Khartoum and Riyadh have strengthened after Sudan joined the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen that is fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Analysts say the relationship serves both countries, with Sudan eager to ease its international isolation and Saudi Arabia looking for avenues for investment to reduce its dependence on oil.
Sudanese and Saudi air forces will conduct joint military exercises this week in northern Sudan
Photo: AFP
Sudanese and Saudi air forces will conduct joint military exercises this week in northern Sudan, reports the Sudan Tribune. The drills would begin on 29 March and last for two weeks to 9 April.
Dubbed "Blue Shield," the exercises, which will take place in Meroe, north of Khartoum, will involve some 250 Saudi air force members and over 450 of their Sudanese counterparts.
The Deputy Commander of Sudan’s Air Force Salah al-Din Abdel Khaliq said the purpose of the joint training is to improve the capabilities of the two air forces and their techniques during the operations against the Iranian-backed Yemen’s Houthis rebels.
The Sudanese general said Saudi F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and Sudanese MiG-29 and Sukhoi aircraft would participate in the joint drills.
Arab News adds that ties between Khartoum and Riyadh have strengthened after Sudan joined the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen that is fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Analysts say the relationship serves both countries, with Sudan eager to ease its international isolation and Saudi Arabia looking for avenues for investment to reduce its dependence on oil.
