The Egyptian and French navies are set to conduct the joint exercise "Cleopatra 2018" in the Red Sea from 20 to 23 February, the Egyptian armed forces said on Monday.

In a statement, armed forces spokesman Tamer El-Refaie said the exercise comes within the armed forces' annual framework of joint drills.

"The drills comes in conjunction with the navy units executing set operations within the comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018, to boost the sea theatre in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, to preserve navigation, and to prevent infiltration and smuggling along Egyptian coastlines," the statement read.

The training will also include a number of activities within the Red Sea's southern command, "in light of the depth of partnership and military cooperation relations between the two friendly countries in several fields."

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