The Egyptian and French navies are set to conduct a joint exercise dubbed "Cleopatra 2018" in the Red Sea from Tuesday (February 20th) through Thursday, Egypt's Ahram Online reported Monday.
The exercise comes within the armed forces' annual framework of joint drills, Egyptian armed forces spokesman Tamer al-Refaie said in a statement.
"The drill 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," the statement said.
These are designed "to preserve navigation, and to prevent infiltration and smuggling along Egyptian coastlines", the statement added.
The training will include a number of activities within the Red Sea's southern command, and will highlight "the depth of partnership and military co-operation" in several fields between the two allies, the statement said.
