UAE Airforce Chief attends Israeli Blue Flag exercises; media claim that it delivered message to Iran

Ovda: – The largest ever ‘Blue Flag’ air exercise is underway in Israel. The week-long exercise between the Israeli and seven Allied air forces was attended by United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Chief Vice Marshal Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al-Alawi. Israel said in a statement that the UAE Air Force chief’s presence during the air exercises is particularly significant. The Middle East media claimed that Israel and the UAE are issuing a warning to Iran through this.

Two days ago, the ‘Blue Flag’ multinational air exercise, held every two years at Israel‘s Ovda airbase. About 70 fighter jets from India, USA, UK, France, Germany, Greece and Italy and more than 1,500 officials have participated in this year’s exercise. Advanced F-35, Rafale, F-16, Mirage 2000 fighter jets are participating in this exercise.

On the occasion of the air exercise held in Israel, UAE Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Alawi visited Ovda Airbase. The exercise was inspected by the Chief of Staff of the UAE Air Force and Major General Amikam Norkin, chief of the Israeli air force. The announcement was made by Amir Lazar, head of the Israeli Air Force’s operations department.

Although UAE aircraft did not participate in this year’s Blue Flag exercise, Lazar cited that Vice Marshal Alavi’s visit holds special significance. Last year, Lazar said various opportunities have opened up since the signing of the Abraham agreement between Israel and UAE and the other Arab countries. He also hoped that UAE fighter jets would take part in this Israeli air exercise soon.

Besides, he underlined the exercise’s importance, accusing Iran of preparing to build an army of drones. Lazar said that one day the countries participating in this exercise might have to take united action against the threat posed by Iran, adding that the exercise was part of excellent preparations. Israeli leaders are warning that the Iranian threat to the Arab countries in the Middle East is many times greater than Israel. Israel had taken the initiative for the Abraham Agreement, saying that the cooperation between Israel and Arab countries is vital in this regard.

Against this background, the presence of UAE Air Force chiefs in Israeli air training is significant. The media in the Middle East region have taken notice of the development. Citing its political sources, Middle East news agencies have claimed that Israeli and UAE fighter jets will be seen conducting joint exercises soon. This has once again highlighted that Israel’s campaign to establish relations with the Middle Eastern states to deal with the situation created by Iran’s nuclear program has been a great success.

Israeli passenger airliner lands in Saudi

Tel Aviv: A leading Israeli news agency informed that a private Israeli passenger jet landed at the Riyadh airport in Saudi two days ago. The Israeli media claimed that this is the first-ever cooperation between Israel and Saudi regarding a passenger airliner.

Reports had been published that a Saudi passenger airliner had landed at an Israeli airport on Monday. Some of the Saudi media had dismissed the reports. But within a few hours, an Israeli news agency claimed that an Israeli passenger airliner landed at the Riyadh airport in Saudi. As per the Israeli media, this is a historic event.

A few weeks ago, direct airline services could be started between Israel and UAE, after Saudi opened its airspace. Israeli media claimed that his Saudi stand is beneficial to the Israeli passenger airline services.