CAIRO, Egypt

Egyptian and Pakistani air and air-defense forces commenced a joint military exercise Wednesday, according to Egyptian military sources.

The Guardian of the Sky -1 exercise is held to improve the experience-sharing and capacities of two countries’ armed forces in the context of cordial relations between Egypt and Pakistan, said Egyptian armed forces’ spokesman Col. Tamer al-Refai.

Refai stressed the exercise will also develop the interoperability of the Egyptian and Pakistani armed forces, noting that it will simulate different scenarios including launching joint attacks on enemy forces and protecting VIP figures who could be targeted.

* Writing by Ahmet Gencturk