The joint “Intrinsic Defender” exercise between the Israeli Navy and the U.S. 5th Fleet has been completed. The exercise took place over five days in the Mediterranean Sea area, the Haifa Bay region, the Nahariya region, and the Red Sea arena.
The exercise was designed to strengthen and maintain the long-standing cooperation between the two navies, expand and improve responses to maritime threat scenarios, and promote mutual operational learning.
Throughout the exercise, operational capabilities were integrated, and new technological capabilities were established to broaden the IDF’s operational options.
As part of the cooperation between the Israeli Navy and the U.S. 5th Fleet, a variety of scenarios were practiced: sabotage and mine neutralization, responses to maritime intrusion threats, diving and search operations, boarding scenarios, and medical training.
In addition, the U.S. P-8 Poseidon aircraft and the Israeli Sahar 5-class missile corvette trained in creating a joint air-maritime situational picture.
In recent years, the Israeli Navy and the U.S. 5th Fleet have conducted multiple joint exercises and numerous patrols in the Red Sea arena, and areas further south.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that "the cooperation between the IDF and CENTCOM (the United States Central Command) highlights the strategic alliance and close relationship between the militaries and serves as a fundamental pillar for ensuring regional maritime security and stability."