US, Israeli troops start major joint missile drill
Israeli and US troops were on Sunday beginning a vast missile defence exercise called Austere Challenge 12, in
what was hailed as their largest-ever joint military operation, officials said.
The exercise, which involves 3,500 personnel from the US European Command (US
EUCOM) and 1,000 Israeli troops and is expected to last three weeks, is likely
to send a clear signal to Tehran over its disputed nuclear drive, which must of
the West believes is a weapons drive.
"Austere Challenge 12 is the largest aerial defence exercise to take place
between the two militaries," an Israeli military statement said.
The long-planned operation comes as the world grapples with the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme, and as a bloody civil war in
Syria threatens to set the region alight, although Israel and US officials have
said there is no connection.
