ISRAEL: Joint Israel, U.S. air defence drill 'in preparation for face-off with Iran'

Record ID: 396500

  • Title: ISRAEL: Joint Israel, U.S. air defence drill 'in preparation for face-off with Iran'
  • Date: 23rd October 2009
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (OCTOBER 22, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ISRAELI AND US MILITARY OFFICIALS AHEAD OF JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE ISRAELI AIR FORCE COMMANDER, BRIGADIER GENERAL DORON GAVISH AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI AIR FORCE COMMANDER, BRIGADIER GENERAL DORON GAVISH, SAYING: "In time of need, the Israel Defence Forces will protect our country. However, if decide
  • Embargoed: 7th November 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA33CU6KG32IC8SCXDRDM1295JB
  • Story Text: U.S and Israeli commanders hold a briefing on a joint air defence drill, which has been described as preparation for a potential face-off with Iran.
    American and Israeli commanders held a briefing on Thursday (October 22) on a joint air defence drill which was launched in Israel on Wednesday (October 21). Israeli public radio called the drill preparation for a face-off with Iran.
    During the three-week manoeuvres, dubbed Juniper Cobra, some 1,000 American personnel will mesh ground and ship-based missile interceptors like the Aegis, THAAD and Patriot with Israel's Arrow II ballistic shield, defence officials said.
    Spokesmen on both sides insisted that the biennial drill was unrelated to world events, but Israel Radio quoted an unnamed commander as saying it served "to prepare for a nuclear Iran".
    During the briefing, Israeli AIr Force commander Brigadier General Doron Gavish said the Israeli army would protect the Jewish state from "missiles attack".
    "In time of need, the Israel Defence Forces will protect our country. However, if decided, enhanced by the United States capabilities, we shall mount and operate the world's most advanced air defence systems," Gavish said.
    But he denied suggestions that the drill had anything to do with current events in the region.
    "The current exercise is the fifth in a series of JC (Juniper Cobra) exercises which began in the year of 2001. The current exercise has been planned for over a year and a half. Hence, it is not a response to any current real world event," he said.
    U.S Navy Rear Admiral John M. Richardson, Commander of the Joint Task Force, emphasised that the role of the American forces was to bolster Israeli forces if necessary.
    "I think that one goal would be to build flexibility into the architecture as well, so there is no dependence on one another. As general Gavish says, Israeli Defence Force would be called and would defend Israel. If U.S forces were requested, could provide some enhanced capability to assist or enhance that capability and it was decided to send the U.S military here. We will deploy to assist," Richardson said.
    He also said the drill was unrelated to developments elsewhere.
    "This exercise is not directly related to recent announcements about ballistic missile defence in Europe, but the lessons and the insights that we gain from this exercise will certainly relate to developing that capability," he said.
    The United States and other world powers are trying to talk Tehran into giving up nuclear technologies with bomb-making potential. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for producing electricity.
    Israel, which is assumed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, has hinted it could resort to force to prevent its arch-foe attaining the means to threaten its existence.
    But some analysts believe that tactical limitations, and U.S. misgivings about pre-emptive strikes, may compel Israel to accept a more defensive posture with the help of its top ally.
    Iran denies seeking the bomb and has threatened to retaliate for any attack by firing its medium-range missiles at Israel.
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