Israel-US hold joint air defense drill to counter major rocket barrage

The Defense Ministry says it recently held a joint air defense drill with the United States.

The ministry says the drill aimed to simulate major rocket barrages on Israel. The drill included the use of Israel’s multi-layered air defenses: Arrow, David’s Sling, Iron Dome and Patriot.

The US forces used Patriot, AEGIS and THAAD systems.

All of the Israeli and American air defenses were operated from Elbit’s so-called Israeli Test Bed battle lab, which “presents real-time data that helps with a comprehensive investigation of the drill,” allowing the forces to update various procedures relating to the systems, the ministry says.

The ministry says the joint drill comes as part of “the ongoing cooperation between the armies, is aimed at improving the level of competence of the troops, and increasing the coordination between the forces.”