The mixed air exercise Spears of Victory 2026 concluded successfully at the Eastern Sector Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia, marking the end of one of the largest and most comprehensive multinational military drills in the region. The exercise brought together branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, and the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), alongside forces from several brotherly and friendly countries.
Conducted from January 18 to February 5, the exercise was led by the Royal Saudi Air Force and underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a regional security anchor and a key convener of multinational military cooperation. Over the course of nearly three weeks, participating forces engaged in a wide range of operational activities designed to enhance combat readiness, interoperability, and joint operational effectiveness in a complex and evolving threat environment.
The exercise featured realistic simulations of multiple operational scenarios, including joint and combined tactical operations, high-precision missions, and advanced planning exercises. These activities were complemented by specialized academic lectures that focused on modern warfare concepts, emerging threats, and lessons learned from contemporary conflicts. Particular emphasis was placed on multi-domain operations, integrating air, technical, and support elements within an advanced electronic and cyber warfare environment.
Participating forces carried out precision operations aimed at testing and refining tactics, techniques, and procedures under demanding conditions. These missions contributed to strengthening combat capabilities, enhancing coordination and integration among participating units, and ensuring readiness for joint operations across a range of operational scenarios. The exercise also provided an opportunity to evaluate modern military tactics and command-and-control processes in a multidimensional battlespace.
Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari, Commander of the Air Warfare Center, stated that the exercise was designed to enhance combat readiness, promote the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, and unify concepts of joint military action among participating forces. He noted that Spears of Victory 2026 addressed both current and emerging threats while advancing tactical capabilities and joint operational strategies aligned with future security requirements.
The exercise was hosted at the Air Warfare Center in the eastern sector of Saudi Arabia, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region. The centre’s sophisticated infrastructure and realistic training environment enabled participants to conduct high-end operations that closely reflect real-world conditions, supporting the development, evaluation, and validation of combat capabilities.
Widely regarded as one of the most prominent air exercises in the Middle East, Spears of Victory aims to strengthen military partnerships, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and achieve the highest levels of coordination and operational integration among participating forces. The successful conclusion of Spears of Victory 2026 highlights a shared commitment to collective security, regional stability, and international cooperation.
By bringing together diverse forces in a complex, high-intensity training environment, the exercise reinforced interoperability, enhanced collective readiness, and demonstrated the importance of coordinated and integrated defence operations in addressing evolving regional and global security challenges.
