U.S. and Saudi forces took turns shooting down aerial drones “from dawn to dusk” as part of a joint exercise in the Middle East during the past week.
The drills at the northern Shamal-2 Range in Saudi Arabia were the largest counter-drone exercise in the U.S. Central Command area to date, Col. Robert McVey, director of the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center, told Stars and Stripes on Thursday.
About 300 U.S. and 300 Saudi troops took part in the drills from Sept. 8 through Tuesday. Nine systems were tested this month. Among them were Stinger missiles, with teams from the Army and Marines firing at drones.
“It’s not often that the soldiers get their opportunity to live-fire that weapon system,” McVey said.
U.S. military leaders have highlighted the impact that aerial drones have had in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The exercise reviewed better defenses against drones, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, said in a statement Thursday.
“The UAS threat is real, and the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center represents a significant step, not only in defeating (unmanned aerial) threats, but in demonstrating a shared commitment to regional security by both Saudi and U.
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