CAIRO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian and French naval forces held joint military drills in the Red Sea, said the Egyptian army on Monday.

The joint exercise involved various areas, including protection of a vital target in the sea against potential threats, air defense activities, and exchange of helicopter landings on helidecks of marine units, Egyptian military Spokesman Tamer al-Refai said in a statement.

Aiming at consolidating the Egyptian-French bilateral relations and enhancing the prospects for military cooperation between the two countries, the drills effectively contribute to preserving maritime security and stability in the region, he added.

Egypt regularly holds joint military exercises with other countries to boost military collaboration and exchange military expertise.

In late January, Egyptian and French air forces carried out a several-day joint training at one of the Egyptian air bases.

Later in February, the navies of Egypt and Spain carried out joint drills twice, also in the Red Sea. Enditem