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The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition has reached initial operational capability, allowing it to begin integrating and deploying participating countries’ military capabilities and preparing for an operational presence at sea, its commander said Friday.
The announcement followed the coalition’s fourth planning meeting Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which the Saudi Defense Ministry described as part of its transition “from the founding stage to the actual operational stage.”
Representatives from 41 countries attended the meeting, along with EU representatives.
The coalition is a 14-country military alliance established in July to help keep the Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea open to international traffic.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said the coalition is integrating capabilities and preparing for operational execution and a presence in its maritime area of operations.
The meeting reviewed progress since the coalition’s formation, including achievements during its previous phase and the accession of additional countries.
Participants also discussed requirements for joint operations and the military capabilities participating countries could contribute to coordinated multinational defensive operations.
The ministry described the meeting as an “advanced stage” in the coalition’s development, focused on operational readiness under a unified command ahead of deployment and the launch of maritime missions.
Maj. Gen. Abdullah al-Shehri, commander of the coalition, told Saudi state-run Alekhbariya TV that the group had moved rapidly since its establishment on July 30, adopting regulatory frameworks and signing its charter on Aug. 13.
He said the coalition’s command had since been activated, with a Pakistani deputy commander taking up his duties and 28 officers from participating countries joining the command and its components.
Shehri said the coalition had completed its initial operational capability, with its Joint Maritime Operations and Coordination Center, intelligence center and command-and-control system now carrying out assigned tasks.
Preparations are underway to integrate and deploy participating countries’ capabilities during the next phase, which will include an operational presence at sea.
“Freedom of navigation in the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition’s area of operations is a collective responsibility that requires active participation, capabilities and a collective response,” Shehri said.
He said any threat to navigation would face “a different multinational deterrence environment” operating under unified command, with members sharing information and intelligence and integrating their capabilities.
Shehri added that expanding threats would not slow international cooperation, but instead accelerate the integration and deployment of coalition assets.
A key focus of the fourth planning meeting was allocating and integrating participating countries’ capabilities under the coalition command ahead of the next operational phase.
Participants also agreed on mechanisms for sharing information and intelligence and building a comprehensive operational picture between coalition command and naval units at sea.
The coalition’s preparations come amid growing threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Yemen’s Houthi group declared what it called a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20 and later claimed attacks on Saudi-linked vessels.
Riyadh has said it will protect maritime traffic and respond to threats against international navigation.
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