Egyptian, US and UAE naval and air forces began on Monday the joint military exercise "Eagle Salute - Eagle Response 2019" in the territorial waters in the Red Sea, the Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement on Monday.

Saudi Arabia is participating in the exercises as an observer.

Various naval units from the Egyptian Naval Forces and the US and UAE naval forces are taking part in the exercise that is set to last for several days.

The forces are using frigades, missile-launching boats and mine hunters in the excersises.

Special naval units, the coast guard, and F16 jet fighters are taking part in the drills.

The excersises were preceded by holding a joint coference and theoritical lectures for the participant forces in order to establish strong cohesion and communication among them and unify their operational concepts before they started the drill. 

Special Egypt and US forces began the Eagle excersise by conducting a search of a suspected ship practical drill.

The exercise aims to strengthen cooperation between the Egyptian Armed Forces and friend and brotherly countries, share knowledge of the latest in military systems and techniques, and strengthen the efforts to achieve naval security and stabilty in the region, the statement explained.