Royal Saudi Air and Air Defense forces join joint military exercise in UAE

The Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force are actively taking part in a large-scale aerial warfare and missile defense exercise held in the United Arab Emirates, alongside forces from several allied and friendly nations. The exercise focuses on enhancing combat readiness , coordination, and operational planning through realistic air and missile warfare simulations.

A regional exercise of strategic importance

The aerial warfare and missile defense exercise, known as ATLC-35 , is one of the most prominent joint air drills in the Middle East. Conducted at the UAE’s aerial warfare and missile defense center, it brings together participating air forces to train in complex, multi-domain operations.

The exercise aims to strengthen the operational planning and execution capabilities of the participating nations, enhance coordination across different mission types, and simulate real-world air and missile warfare environments. Through these efforts, the forces involved seek to build cohesive strategies, improve interoperability, and reinforce joint response mechanisms for evolving regional security challenges .

Saudi participation and training missions

The Royal Saudi Air Force is participating with its Tornado aircraft, supported by aircrews engaged in a variety of advanced training missions. These include:

• Defensive and offensive air operations to simulate engagements and countermeasures across diverse threat conditions.
• Combat search and rescue drills designed to test rapid response and coordination under realistic combat scenarios.
• Night flight operations aimed at sharpening situational awareness and navigation in limited-visibility environments.
• Aerial refueling missions that practice long-range endurance and sustained flight operations.

These training activities are designed to refine tactical skills, improve coordination with partner air forces, and ensure the Saudi Air Force maintains high levels of preparedness and proficiency in both offensive and defensive operations.

Strengthening cooperation and tactical integration

The ATLC-35 exercise is part of a broader framework of multinational air drills that foster defense cooperation and shared expertise among participating countries. The joint environment allows air forces to exchange tactical knowledge, test new techniques, and coordinate in complex air combat and missile defense scenarios.

Through continued participation in such exercises, the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force reaffirm their dedication to enhancing regional stability, maintaining joint defense readiness, and advancing Saudi Arabia’s overall air power capabilities.

Understanding the ATLC-35 exercise

ATLC-35 refers to the 35th edition of the Air Tactical Leadership Course, a long-running multinational training initiative hosted by the United Arab Emirates. It is designed as a high-intensity combat training program that combines aerial warfare and missile defense exercises under realistic battlefield conditions.

The course brings together advanced aircraft, missile systems, and aircrews from participating nations to conduct coordinated missions that mirror modern combat scenarios. Its structure emphasizes leadership in air operations, tactical integration across air defense systems, and the seamless coordination required in joint operations.

By simulating real-world air warfare environments, ATLC-35 helps participating forces strengthen decision-making skills, enhance joint mission planning, and develop unified command structures for coalition operations. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the region’s most important platforms for improving air combat effectiveness and interoperability among allied air forces.