U.S. and UAE Launch Bold Iron Defender Drills in Arabian Gulf

The combined bilateral exercise aims to deepen cooperation, bolster regional security, and improve joint operational capabilities. Various scenarios were part of the training, such as visit, board, search and seizure operations, unmanned system integration, harbor defense, diving, medical preparedness, and sea-based training. This exercise stands as one of several initiatives where the U.S. military collaborates with Middle Eastern nations to strengthen partnerships and enhance interoperability.

The U.S. 5th Fleet operates in a vast area spanning approximately 2.5 million square miles. This region includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, segments of the Indian Ocean, and three vital maritime passageways: the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and Bab al-Mandeb. These exercises showcase efforts to ensure security across these critical waterways.