In a first, Israel Air Force jets participated in a war exercise with Pakistan on US soil.
Jerusalem:
Israeli Air Force pilots held a joint military exercise with fighter pilots from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates last month in the United States, even though both countries do not share diplomatic ties with Israel.
According to the United States Air Force, several countries participated in the recently concluded 'Red Flag' advanced combat training exercise, considered to be one of the biggest and the best war simulation exercise in the world.
Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Israel were also invited to participate in the exercise.
Israel and Pakistan don't share diplomatic relations. However a dialogue process started in 2005 suffered a major setback just three years later, when Pakistan backed terrorists killed 6 people in Mumbai's Jewish Chabad house.
United States of America regularly holds war games with its allies to test strategy and new technology. Israel said participants don't have a say in choosing training partners.
"We train together with anyone who attends the exercise. We have no say in the matter," said Colonel Amit, head of Israel's Air Force training department.
Earlier, Israel had defended its participation in this years 'Red Flag' exercises by saying it was important to be battle ready.
"The Israeli Defence Forces train regularly to maintain operational competency and remain ready for any potential challenge. The Red Flag exercise is a high quality exercise," an Israeli army spokesperson said.
Participants in Red Flag simulations need to be coordinate with other teams to carry out complicated maneuvers. Some 50 warplanes from five countries participated in the exercise, along with aerial defence units, intelligence and special operations groups on the ground.
According to the United States Air Force, several countries participated in the recently concluded 'Red Flag' advanced combat training exercise, considered to be one of the biggest and the best war simulation exercise in the world.
Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Israel were also invited to participate in the exercise.
Israel and Pakistan don't share diplomatic relations. However a dialogue process started in 2005 suffered a major setback just three years later, when Pakistan backed terrorists killed 6 people in Mumbai's Jewish Chabad house.
United States of America regularly holds war games with its allies to test strategy and new technology. Israel said participants don't have a say in choosing training partners.
"We train together with anyone who attends the exercise. We have no say in the matter," said Colonel Amit, head of Israel's Air Force training department.
Earlier, Israel had defended its participation in this years 'Red Flag' exercises by saying it was important to be battle ready.
"The Israeli Defence Forces train regularly to maintain operational competency and remain ready for any potential challenge. The Red Flag exercise is a high quality exercise," an Israeli army spokesperson said.
Participants in Red Flag simulations need to be coordinate with other teams to carry out complicated maneuvers. Some 50 warplanes from five countries participated in the exercise, along with aerial defence units, intelligence and special operations groups on the ground.
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