The Egyptian Armed Forces announced that the “Bright Star 2023”, a joint military exercise that involves 8,000 troops from 34 countries, will be held at the Mohammed Najib Military Base from 31 August to 14 September 2023.
The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and combat common threats and risks, according to an Army statement, Daily News Egypt reported.
“Bright Star” is one of the largest and oldest joint military exercises in the world, dating back to October 1980. It is held in Egypt every two years with the participation of the United States and other countries.
The exercise provides an opportunity for the participating nations to exchange expertise and learn about the latest weapons and military equipment. It also covers various scenarios of conventional and irregular warfare, including security and counter-terrorism operations.
The exercise involves ground forces, infantry, armored vehicles, artillery units, navy, air force, and special operations forces from the Egyptian and US sides, as well as other countries. The Thunderbolt and Paratroopers units also take part in the exercise.
The “Bright Star” exercise reflects Egypt’s strategic and security relations with the US and other countries. It also showcases Egypt’s ability to combine different military doctrines from the Eastern and Western schools of combat.
The US and NATO countries consider Bright Star an essential exercise for them, as it gives them experience in fighting in desert areas. Egypt and many other countries also benefit from gaining new knowledge of Western weapons and tactics.
Meantime, units of the Saudi Armed Forces arrived in the Arab Republic of Egypt on 31 August to participate in the “Bright Star 2023” exercise.
The Head of the Training and Development Authority of the Saudi Armed Forces, Major General Adel Al-Balawi, said that the exercise aims to exchange experiences and coordinate joint work between the participating forces from brotherly and friendly countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
“The armed forces, represented by their land, air, naval and air defense branches, are participating in the exercise with actual forces, planning and observer officers, along with forces from 34 sisterly and friendly countries,” he added.
He explained that the exercise also aims to unify operational concepts, develop the skills of the participating personnel, plan and implement anti-terrorism and irregular warfare operations, plan support operations, plan logistical support and medical evacuation operations, develop the method of operations and counter-terrorism training, and enhance maritime security.
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