ع
The exercise ran through February 5 and represented the largest edition to date with the highest number of participants and missions recorded, according to a senior Royal Saudi Air Force officer. More than nine countries took part as primary partners while six others attended in observer roles, the officer told Al Arabiya. The drill incorporated extensive support assets including electronic warfare ranges, command-and-control platforms, air-refueling tankers and numerous unmanned aerial vehicles that enabled complex training scenarios.
The U.S. Central Command stated that Saudi Arabia invited eight global and regional partners to the exercise, underscoring the kingdom’s ability to integrate and activate a global coalition. American forces worked alongside counterparts on scenarios involving contemporary security challenges, a CENTCOM release indicated. This edition expanded on earlier Spears of Victory drills that have progressively increased in scale and sophistication.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Royal Saudi Air Force directed the maneuvers with an emphasis on strengthening military cooperation, exchanging expertise and developing unified procedures among participating nations. Training concentrated on new tactics, emerging threats and the integration of unmanned systems, the agency reported. Saudi officials described the kingdom’s expansive training areas as essential to accommodating the multinational scope of the activity.
A Royal Saudi Air Force officer said in remarks carried by Al Arabiya that the venue offered an ideal setting to share ideas and tactics. “this is actually the right place to practice exchange ideas exchange tactics and Spears of Victory 2026 achieved the highest number of participants and achieved also the highest number of missions achieved so far” the officer stated. The assessment aligned with feedback from multiple delegations that noted improved coordination by the exercise close.
Arabian Defense News reported on January 17, 2026, that the gathering reinforced broader security relationships across the Middle East and with international allies. Participants conducted combined air missions simulating realistic contingencies, the publication added. Observers highlighted measurable advances in joint operational effectiveness by the conclusion of the drill.
The Saudi Press Agency noted that the Air Warfare Center has become a frequent venue for similar large-scale training in recent years. The Spears of Victory series has evolved to confront modern challenges including asymmetric tactics and technological threats, SPA figures show. Such exercises complement wider Gulf Cooperation Council initiatives aimed at bolstering collective defense preparedness across the region.
