Israel concludes exercise “Blue Flag’

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Israel has concluded a 12-day-long international military aerial exercise ‘”Blue Flag’ on 14 Nov. It was the first international “Fifth Generation” exercise held in Israel involving F-35 warplanes. The “enemy” forces operated advanced surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles to simulate the capabilities of the S-300 aerial defence system that Russia has delivered to the army in Syria.  Several air forces participated in the exercise, including forces from Germany, Italy, Greece, and the United States. Forces from Japan, Britain, Croatia, the Netherlands, Spain, and France participated as observers. The exercise also included tankers, cargo planes, two different types of helicopters, drones, and an Italian control aircraft.