Article Posted on : - Mar 19, 2012

An IDF photo.

UVDA AIRBASE, ISRAEL (BNS): The air forces of Israel and Poland have conducted a joint training exercise in the Uvda Airbase in the southern Negev desert in Israel last week.

The joint drill, involving the Polish Air Force's F-16 fighters and the Israel Air Force's F-15 and F-16 fighters, was part of "an annual training graph - which includes collaboration with counterpart air forces from around the world," the Israel Defence Ministry said.

This is the first time that the two countries' air forces have conducted the joint aerial drill.

In an attempt to strengthen its ties with NATO, Israel, in recent times has carried out large-scale military drills in foreign skies, as well as hosted foreign air forces to train alongside its forces in its military bases.

The country had hosted the Greek Air Force to conduct joint aerial drill in its skies in November, 2011. The Israel Air Force has also held joint drills with the air forces of the US, Italy and Romania in recent years.