Joint Gulf Shield 1 exercise continues in east of Saudi Arabia with the participation of forces from 23 countries. The military exercise is considered one of the largest in the region, both in terms of the number of participating countries and in terms of the quality of its weapons. It aims to raise military readiness in the region, modernize joint mechanisms and enhance coordination and cooperation with joint military and security integration. Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Mohammed al-Aish inspected Joint Gulf Shield 1 exercises, organized by Saudi Ministry of Defense and visited the administrative units while reviewing the tasks assigned to them and their role in facilitating the exercise. He also discussed with officials the conduct of administrative processes. Aish visited the Advanced Operations Center of the Joint Gulf Shield 1, and met with the participating leaders. He was briefed on the progress of the center, the volume and nature of operations carried out. The military exercises aim at maintaining the security and stability of the countries of the region and the readiness to confront any causes of instability and threats to the region. The drills also aim at highlighting the capabilities of joint military action and their constant preparedness to support the unity of the region and to deter any threat to it. According to a statement, the exercises highlight the capabilities of participating countries to enhance their security and stability and reflect their conviction that joint cooperation on a platform of integrated military understanding and coordination, both in the region and throughout the world, is the cornerstone of confronting the threats and dangers that surround the entire world. Gulf Shield 1 is scheduled for a month in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia aiming at raising the competencies of participating forces to confront challenges and threats within a joint operation environment to achieve the concept of the joint action. According to military experts, the importance of the exercise is demonstrated by the size of participation, the quality of sophisticated military equipment and the techniques used in the exercise, which is considered one of the most modern military systems in the world. Four of the participating countries are among the 10 most powerful armies in the world.