DAMMAM: The mixed maritime exercise “Naval Defender 21” between Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the US Navy kicked off at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base (KANB), home to the Eastern Fleet in Jubail on Thursday, with the participation of a UK Royal Navy Minesweeper, in the presence of the commander of the Eastern Fleet, Vice Adm. Majed bin Hazza Al-Qahtani. The exercise aims to raise combat readiness and expand maritime security cooperation between the two forces, by strengthening maritime security, ensuring the protection of territorial waters, and exchanging combat experience. For his part, the director of the exercise, Rear Adm. Awwad bin Rashid Al-Enezi, said that the exercise would enhance the protection of territorial waters, as well as the Kingdom’s coasts and ports. He added that the exercise would include lectures and training courses given by the participants from the US and UK.