From November 11 to 13, 2025, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces hosted the joint naval exercise “Red Wave 8” at King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet, with participation from several domestic forces and Red Sea littoral states, alongside observers from Pakistan and Mauritania. According to the Commander of the Western Fleet and the exercise leader, the drill aimed to “strengthen defense cooperation and security integration among participating nations, unify efforts to enhance Red Sea security, protect strategic maritime routes, and ensure freedom of navigation and global supply lines—contributing to the security of energy and international trade.”

It is worth noting that this exercise was first launched in 2018 under the name “Red Wave 1”, well before the current surge in maritime security threats. The lingering effects of piracy in the region since 2008 still cast a shadow over regional security. For a long time, Saudi Arabia has recognized the necessity of securing navigation in the Red Sea—not only as a strategic imperative but also as a developmental requirement tied to its ambitious projects along the Red Sea coast. This vision reflects a collective approach that leverages regional capabilities to safeguard navigation in this strategic part of the world.

This year’s exercise comes amid several significant developments. Domestically, the General Authority for Military Industries announced that the localization rate of military spending in Saudi Arabia reached 24.89% by the end of 2024—a milestone that will undoubtedly impact the Kingdom’s naval industries. Regionally, maritime security threats have evolved due to technological factors, with estimates indicating a 30–35% increase in ship incidents during 2024–2025 caused by loss of communication with navigation systems, which have faced unprecedented jamming amid escalating regional conflicts. Furthermore, the issue of maritime security’s impact on national security was highlighted during the 21st Manama Dialogue held this November, where speakers noted that the cutting of four undersea cables in the Red Sea in 2024 severely disrupted data flows between Asia and Europe, exposing the vulnerability of critical maritime infrastructure. Considering the high cost and time required to repair such lines, there is an urgent need for effective regional and international cooperation to counter these emerging threats.

Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in safeguarding Red Sea navigation is complemented by its conviction in the importance of a regional framework. Evidence of this was seen in the conference hosted by the Kingdom in September 2025 to discuss “Ways to Support Yemen’s Coast Guard and Enhance Red Sea Security,” attended by 40 countries, including the UK. The conference resulted in pledges to bolster Yemen’s Coast Guard capabilities through patrol boats, coastal radar systems, modern command centers, and advanced training programs. Saudi Arabia committed $4 million to support Yemen’s Coast Guard. Maritime insecurity stems from regional instability, exemplified by the weak naval capacities of conflict-affected states with extensive coastlines, such as Yemen. In response, Saudi Arabia spearheaded the creation of a regional framework by establishing the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in 2020, comprising eight nations and headquartered in Riyadh.

The 2025 edition of the exercise carries two notable indicators:

1. Inclusion of lectures and drills on electronic warfare and countering fast attack craft threats—a hallmark of asymmetric warfare in the maritime domain.
2. Invitation of observers from Pakistan and Mauritania—Pakistan having signed a Strategic Defense Cooperation Agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2025, and Mauritania possessing over 750 km of Atlantic coastline, facing multiple maritime security challenges, including piracy.

Continued coordination between Saudi Arabia and its partners and allies to address maritime security threats remains essential given the complex nature of these challenges. In parallel, enhancing the readiness and preparedness of Saudi naval forces is a strategic necessity, rooted in the intrinsic link between maritime security and comprehensive national security.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.

Dr. Ashraf Mohammed Keshk,  Director of Strategic and International Studies Program