The joint military “Gulf Shield Exercise 2026” concluded in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with the participation of the air forces and air-defence forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, alongside the GCC Unified Military Command. At the conclusion of the exercise, the participating forces carried out a joint aerial display that demonstrated a high level of harmony and operational integration, as well as their ability to plan and execute in accordance with unified operational concepts and advanced professional standards. The exercise forms part of efforts to enhance regional defence cooperation and raise combat readiness levels. Its manoeuvres included advanced operational scenarios featuring simulations of multidimensional air and missile threats, joint air manoeuvres, and integrated field exercises, with a focus on improving operational integration, strengthening command-and-control systems, and enhancing operational efficiency within a joint operational environment. The exercise seeks to develop qualitative military capabilities, bolster combat readiness to confront current, emerging, and future threats, and entrench the concepts of collective defence and flexible deterrence, thereby contributing to the region’s security and stability. Gulf Shield Exercise 2026 is regarded as one of the key pillars of military cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance defence integration and strengthen the […]