Israel and US conduct joint training on air defenses

During the joint exercise, the Israeli side activated all of the multi-layered defense systems that Israel uses.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 16:34

Updated: SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 18:48

The Iron Dome air defense missile systems is seen during operational trials conducted following the conclusion Operation Shield and Arrow on May 14, 2023 (photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY) — The Iron Dome air defense missile systems is seen during operational trials conducted following the conclusion Operation Shield and Arrow on May 14, 2023

(photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)

The US and Israel have conducted joint training on missile and air defense systems, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

During the joint exercise, the Israeli side activated all of the multi-layered defense systems that Israel uses. These included the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems. The American forces activated the Patriot, AEGIS, and THAAD weapon systems, the statement from the ministry said.

Together, these systems represent some of the world’s most advanced and proven air defense systems. Israel has employed Iron Dome for more than a decade to defend against thousands of rockets. Arrow 3, which is for exoatmospheric ballistic missile long-range threats, has been sold to Germany.

David’s Sling has been acquired by Finland. These recent deals show how the systems, jointly developed with the US, are increasingly relevant for Europe in the wake of the Ukraine war.

AN ARROW 3 ballistic missile interceptor is seen during its test launch near Ashdod in 2015. (credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

Relevance of air defences rises

The Defense Ministry said the “joint training, which is part of the ongoing cooperation between the armies, is aimed at improving the level of competence of the fighters and increasing the coordination between the forces.”

In recent weeks, the ministry’s Defense Directorate, the American Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the air defense system of the Israel Air Force, and the American Missile Defense Task Force held a joint training session to deal with missile barrages on Israel.

The training took place in the combat laboratory, ITB (Israeli Test Bed) of Elbit Systems, the ministry noted. This allowed for “simulating in one unique facility all the Israeli and American defense systems and also presents real-time data that helps in a comprehensive investigation of the training and in accordance with the updating of the systems’ operating procedures.”

The ITB battle lab was developed by Elisra (a subsidiary of Elbit Systems). The ITB can simulate both Israeli and American air-defense systems and can display and record real-time data to assist in debriefings.

In a video from the ministry, Oren Sebag, the head of Elbit ISTAR and EW systems, praised the joint training and its role in strengthening air defense capabilities.

“We at Elbit Elisra, as a command and control center for the arrow and David sling for over 3 decades, we developed the most advanced center - the ITBD - along with the Defense Ministry and the Israel Missile Defense Organization (HOMA). This unique infrastructure allows to simulation of complex aerial defense scenarios and serves as an advanced environment for integrated training and research capabilities," said Sebag.

"We are proud to host the exercise again. We are proud to once again host this important joint exercise of the IDF and the US Army and to contribute to the cooperation and strengthening of the air defense array of the State of Israel," Sebag added.

This is an important joint training and represents the increasing tempo of joint training with the US in general. There have been a number of important drills with US CENTCOM in the last year and Israel has also engaged in joint training with Greece, Cyprus, and other states.