Saudi Arabia Expands Military Capabilities Amid Regional Tensions and Defense Cooperation

Saudi Arabia has kicked off the Spears of Victory 2026 multinational military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region. The Royal Saudi Air Force is leading the exercise, which runs from January 18 to February 5, 2026, and involves 15 countries, including Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Kingdom. According to Major General Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari, commander of the Air Warfare Center, Spears of Victory 2026 aims to raise combat readiness, standardize planning and execution, and sharpen combined tactics against current and emerging threats. The exercise takes place amid deepening US-Saudi defense cooperation, which has sparked regional tensions.