RIYADH: A massive military exercise to support security, stability and cooperation in the region begins on Sunday when the Joint Gulf Shield-1 drill gets underway after leaders of the participating forces completed the command center exercises. “The field exercise lasts for four consecutive days,” said the spokesman for the Joint Gulf Shield 1, Brig. Gen. Al-Subaie, a live-fire exercise involving participating countries’ forces (ground, air, naval, air defense and special forces). Al-Subaie said the exercise aims to raise the competencies of the participating forces to face the challenges and threats within a joint operation environment, in order to achieve the concept of joint action, where many modern and sophisticated weapons are used. The Gulf Shield 1 drill, organized by the Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia, is attended by 23 brotherly countries. Last week, one of the largest military action plans in the world concentrated on field training. The Gulf Shield 1 drill is a turning point in terms of the techniques used in accordance with the most modern military systems in the world. Tens of thousands of soldiers have arrived in the Kingdom to join the military exercise, which is considered the largest in the region in terms of the number of participating countries and the equipment used. Various activities involving joint operational planning, training, demonstrations, seminars on professional topics, and cultural events will be conducted in the harbor phase of the exercise, with the aim of mutually benefiting the participants and generating goodwill. Irregular warfare, coastal defense, combat search and rescue, naval warfare exercises and extensive flying operations will also be conducted during the sea phase of the exercise. Observers from various participating countries will board Pakistan Navy ships during the sea phase. Warships from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the UAE and US will also participate. Pakistan is the leading contributor to Joint Gulf Shield-1, both in terms of personnel and assets, which is reflective of the strong bilateral defense relations between Islamabad and Riyadh. According to strategic experts, the month-long military drill in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is important for preparing to address any causes of instability and threats to the region. The exercise reflects the conviction of these countries that joint cooperation on the basis of integrated military understanding and coordination, both regionally and globally, is the cornerstone of confronting the threats and dangers that face the world.