In first, Israeli Air Force participates with Qatar in aerial exercises hosted by Greece
Military confirms it sent spy plane to Iniochos drill, doesn’t mention other participating countries; 18-day exercise marks first known military cooperation between the countries
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israel Defense Forces on Friday confirmed that it participated in a just-completed annual aerial exercise hosted by Greece, which this year included the participation of Qatar.
Eleven other countries joined Greece in its Iniochos exercise this year: the United States, France, India, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Cyprus participated with supporting personnel, and Slovakia and Bahrain sent observers.
The Israeli Air Force only sent a Gulfstream G550 spy plane from the 122nd Squadron for the drill, the military confirmed on Friday, more than a week after it was reported that the IAF was involved in the exercise.
In previous years, the IAF sent several fighter jet squadrons and refuelers, in addition to spy planes.
The drill began on March 24 and ended on Friday. The IDF had refused to comment on the drill until it had concluded.
In a statement, the IDF said that its participation in the exercise is “intended to strengthen strategic cooperation with foreign armies, improve the competence of the participating forces, and to give the crews a professional challenge in flight conditions in an unknown environment and with varying threats.”
The IDF did not mention the other countries that participated in the drill. This would be the first known time that Israel has participated in joint military exercises with Qatar, which supplied several F-15 fighters to the drills.
INIOCHOS WARRIOR: US, UAE, Qatar, and Israel Air Forces are in Greece to enhance interoperability, cooperation, and readiness. Arabs and Jews working together again after a pause during the Biden administration. pic.twitter.com/9DNQkLe8FU
— @amuse (@amuse) April 2, 2025
The Hellenic Air Force said last month that the drill was meant to simulate a variety of scenarios, including evading attacks, strikes, and search and rescue.
Israel does not have formal diplomatic relations with Qatar but has a long and complicated relationship with the Gulf nation, which plays a key role as an interlocutor, hosts the Hamas terror group, and is one of the main mediators in efforts to reach a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war.
The country has been at the center of the Qatargate scandal in Israel, in which two advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein — are suspected of taking money to spread pro-Qatar messaging to reporters, to boost the Gulf state’s image as a mediator in hostage talks between Israel and Hamas, all while in the prime minister’s employ.
In 2016, the IAF participated in an aerial exercise hosted by the US, which included the participation of Pakistan.
The Times of Israel Community.