Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The joint military exercise, titled "Gulf Shield 2026," kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with the participation of forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, it was announced by the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The exercise aims to enhance the level of combat readiness, strengthen joint operations and military cooperation, and achieve integration within the joint operations environment.

Its objectives also include developing the operational capabilities of the participating forces, strengthen coordination and integration in the joint operations environment, contribute to unifying military concepts and exchanging field expertise, and improve the efficiency of joint planning and execution.

The exercise includes a comprehensive set of meticulously designed procedures, tests, and scenarios to measure combat readiness and the effectiveness of responses to various potential threats, thereby contributing to enhanced integration within the flexible deterrence system among the participating forces.

The Gulf Shield 2026 exercise is part of a series of joint Gulf military exercises that reflect the depth of the defense partnership among the GCC countries and affirm the readiness of their armed forces to address various challenges, thereby enhancing the security and stability of the region.