It was not only Iran's threatening activities in the Middle East, but also Moscow's internationally unsettling pressure on NATO and its military harassment of Ukraine that finally brought together what had long seemed impossible: in mid-February, Israel's navy took part in a joint naval manoeuvre with the navies of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for the first time. IMX22 (International Maritime Exercise, bi-annual, since 2012), probably the most extensive exercise ever organised by US Central Command and its 5th Fleet in the Middle East region, provided the opportunity for this. A good dozen navies participated with military units, including Gulf neighbours that were not previously on Israel's primary partner list. With observers and co-operation partners, there were reportedly 60 nations, including Djibouti, Yemen and the Comoros, to name just a few unexpected participants.
Politically visible
The politically visible meetings between Admiral Brad Cooper, 5th Fleet, and Vice Admiral David Salama, Commander of the Israeli Navy, as well as Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, testified to the fact that the Israeli involvement was not a fleeting event.
Together in the exercise - International Maritime Exercise 2022; Photo: MoD Israel
From light to heavy
Among other things, mine defence procedures, search and rescue on and under water and medical assistance at sea were practised. Even if a start is always difficult, it is important for a positive result to start at the right end of the spectrum. This was probably another good experience for Israel's 3rd flotilla (FK corvettes SAAR 5 and 6), the 915th speedboat squadron (SAAR 4.5) and a group from the underwater special forces "Yaltam". In November last year, Israel had already taken part in a 5thFleet exercise in the Red Sea, in which Bahrain (host state of US CENTCOM) and the United Arab Emirates were also involved.
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