Teams from seven countries are currently simulating dog fights, surface-to-air missile attacks, as well as fly-bys over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv
The Israeli Air Force has been hosting a multi-national aerial exercise lasting through until the end of the month, which will include fly-bys over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Teams from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Greece and India have been participating in the fifth biennial Blue Flag exercise, the Israel Defense Forces said.
A variety of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft have been taking part in the drill, including the F-35, F-15, Eurofighter, Dassault Rafale and the Dassault Mirage 2000.
“The goal of the exercise is strengthening the strategic, international cooperation, learning and deepening the coordination of fifth- and fourth- generation aeroplanes in a challenging operational environment, with an emphasis on strengthening and building up the operational capabilities of the air forces,” the IDF said in a statement.
“During the exercise, the participants have been simulating in-air battles and ground-to-air battles, and have been practising on how to deal with the threat of advanced surface-to-air missiles and combat behind enemy lines,” the military said.
According to the IDF, this will be the “largest and most advanced” Blue Flag exercise, which was first held in 2013. It was the first time in the country’s history that Royal Air Force pilots will fly fighter jets over Israel, as well as the first time that Indian Air Force Mirage jets and French Air Force Dassault Rafale jets will fly over Israel.
