Saudi, Tunisia to conduct joint air exercises next week

RIYADH (AA) - Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced plans to hold joint air exercises with Tunisia next week, the first such exercise of its kind between the two countries.

“Preparations for the joint exercises, which will begin next week in Tunisia, have been completed,” Saudi army commander Mohamed bin Saeed al-Shahrani was quoted as saying by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

According to al-Shahrani, the maneuvers are aimed at enhancing cooperation -- tactical and operational -- between the Saudi Royal Air Force and its Tunisian counterpart.

The maneuvers are also aimed at exchanging technical and logistical knowhow and allowing Saudi pilots to conduct air operations in a foreign environment.

According to the SPA, the exercises -- the first of their kind with the Tunisian air force -- will continue for two weeks.