Israeli media has reported the joint presence of Israeli and United Arab Emirates fighter jets in a military exercise in the skies over Greece. According to Haaretz, this exercise, which began on Monday, April 7, will continue until Thursday, April 10. The United States is participating in this exercise with twelve F-16 fighter jets and 220 personnel, along with the Italian Air Force, alongside Israel and the UAE. The operations of the joint air exercise 'Iniochos 2017', named 'Conscious Action', are taking place from the headquarters of a Greek Air Force base while the flags of the participating countries are flying together. Haaretz noted that this is not the first time Israeli and Emirati fighter jets have appeared together; in 2016, Israeli pilots participated in the 'Red Flag' exercise alongside the air forces of Pakistan and Spain in the United States. Israel and the UAE do not have diplomatic and official relations, but according to Western media reports, informal and secret contacts have been ongoing between the two countries. Haaretz added that Israel has recently expanded joint exercises with foreign armies, and just last week participated in an air maneuver in Cyprus. Military cooperation between Israel and Greece has also recently increased; Israeli helicopters 'Yanshuf' and 'Yas'ur' landed six months ago in a drill with the Greek army in the Olympus region. According to Haaretz, General Erzi Maizel, head of the planning staff for foreign cooperation in the Israeli army, also visited Greece last week. A senior Israeli Air Force pilot, referred to only as 'Giliad' by Haaretz, told the newspaper that Israel lacks sufficient space for air maneuvers and that the aim of Israel's participation in foreign exercises is to gain experience for potential wars in unfamiliar conditions. General Amir Eshel, commander of the Israeli Air Force, recently stated, 'We are at the peak of cooperation with foreign armies abroad.' General Eshel added that in November 2017, the largest exercise ever held in Israel will take place with the participation of the air forces of several foreign countries within Israel. Haaretz reported that the armies of India, the United States, Poland, and Italy are among the countries participating in the large air exercise in Israel next fall.
Joint Presence of Israeli and Emirati Fighters in an Air Exercise
Israeli and Emirati fighter jets are participating in a joint military exercise in Greece, alongside the U.S. and Italy. This marks a significant step in military cooperation between Israel and the UAE, despite their lack of formal diplomatic relations. Such exercises are aimed at enhancing operational experience for potential future conflicts.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Israeli and Emirati fighter jets participated in a joint military exercise in Greece, alongside the U.S. and Italy, aimed at enhancing operational experience for potential future conflicts.
- The exercise is named 'Iniochos 2017' and involves multiple countries including the U.S. and Italy.
- This marks a continuation of informal military cooperation between Israel and the UAE despite their lack of formal diplomatic relations.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Israel and the UAE have been enhancing military cooperation despite not having formal diplomatic relations, which is indicative of changing alliances in the Middle East.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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