US and Israeli : navies have finished their combined “Intrinsic Defender” exercise

US and Israeli : The “Intrinsic Defender” joint exercise between the US Fifth Fleet and the Israeli Navy is now complete. The Mediterranean Sea, Haifa Bay, Nahariya, and Red Sea locations were all used for the five-day drill.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the purpose of the exercise was to perform mutual operational learning, broaden and enhance the response to maritime threat scenarios, and build and preserve the navy’ long-standing cooperation.

In order to broaden the IDF’s operational capabilities, new technology capabilities were developed and operational capabilities were merged throughout the exercise.

Scenarios such as sabotage and mine clearing, handling threats that infiltrate the marine environment, dive and search, takeover scenarios, and medical training were all rehearsed as part of the collaboration between the Israeli Navy and the US Fifth Fleet. Additionally, the Saar 5 missile ship and US P-8 aircraft rehearsed creating a combined air-sea picture.

Numerous cooperative drills and patrols have been carried out by the Israeli Navy and the Fifth Fleet in the Red Sea theater area, the Red Sea itself, and regions south of it in recent years.

A key pillar for maintaining maritime security and stability in the area, the collaboration between the IDF and CENTCOM (US Central Command) highlights the strong ties and strategic partnership between the armed forces.