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The Saudi Press Agency reported that the joint air exercise wrapped up at the Air Warfare Centre in the Eastern Province after participants completed a series of complex simulations. Several branches of the Saudi Armed Forces joined units from the Ministry of National Guard, the Presidency of State Security and the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Air forces from multiple countries also took part in the drills that focused on enhancing operational integration across allied units.
A Royal Air Force announcement placed the exercise among the largest multinational air drills in the Middle East and confirmed that the United Kingdom contributed Typhoon aircraft alongside a 15-nation coalition. The Royal Saudi Air Force hosted the activity which ran from January 18 until February 5 and included primary participation by nine countries with six others observing. According to the Saudi Press Agency the drills emphasised unified concepts of joint military action and the evaluation of tactics in realistic scenarios.
The exercise incorporated electronic warfare, cyber operations and high-precision missions that tested modern military approaches in a multidimensional battlespace. Saudi Gazette reporting drawn from official releases noted that participating units executed scenarios involving unmanned aerial vehicles, air refueling and command-and-control integration. These activities allowed forces to refine coordination while addressing emerging threats such as drone swarms and electronic jamming according to statements from exercise commanders.
A senior Royal Saudi Air Force officer told Al Arabiya that the 2026 edition achieved the highest number of participants and missions recorded for the Spears of Victory series. The officer highlighted the inclusion of new tactics against evolving dangers and the value of practicing alongside partners to exchange expertise on interoperability. Data from the Saudi Ministry of Defence indicated that the drills also featured extensive support aircraft and large exercise areas to replicate real-world operational conditions.
CENTCOM photographs and releases documented United States KC-135 Stratotanker refueling operations with Royal Air Force Typhoons during the exercise underscoring logistical cooperation. Pakistan dispatched F-16 Block 52 fighters while other partners contributed additional combat and support elements the Saudi Press Agency noted. The Italian defence ministry confirmed its contingent completed the multinational phase at King Abdulaziz Air Base as part of broader efforts to boost regional security readiness.
Previous iterations of the exercise had focused on similar interoperability goals but the 2026 version expanded participation and scenario complexity according to Royal Saudi Air Force summaries. The drills align with ongoing GCC initiatives to strengthen collective defence capabilities amid shifting regional dynamics. Officials described the conclusion as a successful step toward sustained military partnership without providing specific performance metrics.
