What is the Indian Air Force's 'Mirage' fighter aircraft doing in Israel?

Israel is currently conducting a multinational air exercise called 'Blue Flag 2021', which is being described as Israel's largest air force exercise ever.

The Israeli Air Force has said that the exercise, which takes place every two years, aims to strengthen ties between different nations, and this year is the largest and most advanced air exercise ever being held in Israel.

Air forces of seven countries are participating in this multinational air exercise and Tuesday was its third day. This exercise of air forces of eight countries will continue till October 28.

The air forces of Germany, Italy, Britain, France, India, Greece, and America are participating in this exercise. In this their fourth and fifth-generation aircraft are participating.

India's Foreign Minister S.S. on a five-day visit to Israel. Jaishankar had visited the Blue Flag International Air Force exercise being held at Ovda Airbase on Tuesday. He also took pictures with the Indian Air Force group.

Giving information about this by tweeting, he said that he was very happy to see the mutual respect and chemistry between the Indian and Israeli Air Force. Defense and security are the main pillars of our relationship.

At the same time, Israel's Ambassador to India Naur Gillon also tweeted and informed about the Indian Foreign Minister's visit to the airbase.

Why is this Air Force exercise special?

Israel says that this is its largest air force exercise so far, in which the air forces of seven more countries are participating.

According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, in 2017, an Israeli Air Force officer said the two-year exercise is an "air diplomacy" that publicly shows that many countries are concerned about the concerns of Arab nations and political issues such as Palestine. Keeping aside, want a strategic partnership with Israel.

The Israeli Air Force says the exercise expands their capabilities with participating air forces, focusing on air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks.

Apart from this, this exercise also includes avoiding its ground air defense systems in enemy territory and taking different actions.

The Israeli Air Force has said in its statement that 'this is the first time that a squadron of British warships has come after the formation of Israel. With this, for the first time, the Mirage fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force is in Israel, and also for the first time a squadron of Rafale fighter aircraft of the French Air Force has arrived.

What else did the Israeli Air Force say?

In the statement of the Israeli Air Force, its commander and Major General Amikam Norkin has said that the exercise of this air force is strategically very important.

"We live in a very complex region, where the threat to the nation of Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran continues to grow," he said.

"The conduct of an international exercise in this real situation and the continuation of our operational activities on all fronts is of great strategic importance. At the same time, it will have a huge impact on the Israeli Air Force, the Israeli Defense Force, and the nation of Israel."

Along with this, Major General Norkin said that the ongoing exercise is a big step in regional and international cooperation.

Norkin said that this exercise is also unprecedented in terms of technique, quality of training, and the number of members participating. It shows a strong partnership and relationship between the air forces of all nations.

On the first day of the exercise on Sunday, Norkin, along with his German counterpart Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, led the Israeli-German planes passing over Jerusalem. Along with this, both the officers went to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center, where they lit candles in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

While Norkin piloted the 'Falcon' (F-15) aircraft, Gerhartz flew the 'Eagle Star' Eurofighter and was notable for carrying the flags of Israel and Germany.

On Tuesday, the head of the Israeli Defense Forces, Aviv Kochawi, awarded Gerhartz the Medal of Appreciation. This honor has been given to him for his efforts to create closer cooperation between the Israeli and German security forces.

Norkin was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Germany's highest national award, by Germany's ambassador to Israel, Susan Wasum-Geiner.

At a ceremony, Wasum-Gyner said that 'Israeli and German aircraft are also preparing together for the biggest security challenges of our time'.

"Last year's participation of Israeli aircraft in German Air Force exercises was another meaningful step that showed the growing professional and friendly attitude among our soldiers."