In September two years ago, Israel and the United States made history. After Israel joined the US Central Command's area of responsibility, the Israeli Navy joined a security exercise in the Red Sea together with Arab partners and the US Navy, so that for the first time the participating countries publicly announced joint activity at sea.
The five-day exercise included instruction on various tactics and included multinational personnel who jointly practiced professional procedures aboard a U.S. Navy ship. The unprecedented cooperation not only fostered multi-faceted cooperation but also heralded significant cooperation between the United States and Israel in the weeks and months that followed.
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper with Maj. Gen. David Saar Salma, Commander of the Israeli Navy, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Since then, Israel has participated in large-scale naval operations in the Middle East, and with the United States in particular, more than ever before. So far, they have included multiple joint tours of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and there are many more opportunities for joint cooperation on the horizon, especially in technological integration.
Last year, the United States and Israel jointly held the first-ever large-scale "unmanned" exercise in the Gulf of Aqaba. The four-day exercise sharpened our competitive advantage in using unmanned systems and artificial intelligence to perform maritime art. Last month, we conducted another integrated exercise called "Intrinsic Defender" near Haifa to improve maritime readiness. It was a huge success.
Milestones
Over the past two years, both Israel and the United States have achieved many milestones together at sea. We practiced takeover tactics and multiplayer tactical scenarios together while sailing the Red Sea. We completed our largest land, air and naval exercise with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in January, and over the summer the United States hosted Israeli submarine officers for a professional exchange of knowledge aboard a guided missile submarine – for the first time in our country's history.
It doesn't stop there. The fruitful cooperation we enjoy with the Israeli Navy over the past two years has also led to a number of agreements, including one signed last June, to coordinate underwater activities. These agreements reinforce our fleets' commitment to addressing regional threats and safeguarding freedom of navigation and maritime movement.
Conference in the US with naval commanders from around the world, photo: US Navy Spokesperson's Office
Strong partnerships
These are tangible and moving examples of how the United States and Israel continue to deepen our maritime ties. Protecting the free maritime movement of trade across vast oceans requires strong partnerships, relationships, friendships and shared leadership. Therefore, we are honored that Israel is one of our closest and strongest maritime allies.
Since the recombination, we have conducted almost 20 joint exercises and multiplayer exercises together, and we look forward to many more. Training, operational activities and joint innovation strengthen regional security.
Advantage over competitors
Israel and the United States were two of 10 countries that used seaborne drones during the largest naval exercise in the region last year. Together, we have confirmed that operating unmanned systems with artificial intelligence can change the game and help us see what is happening above, on and below the sea.
Staying ahead of our competitors requires us to continue working closely together, and to this the U.S. Fifth Fleet remains fully committed. The future holds great promise for continued maritime cooperation between Israel and the United States. We look forward to strengthening and expanding our cooperation in the coming months and years.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us