Israel, U.S. partner for navy exercise, anti-missile test

From Kelly Wallace and Izzy Lemberg
CNN

A helicopter touching down on the Hanit, an Israeli warship

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VIDEO CNN's Kelly Wallace boards an Israeli warship to watch Israel, Turkey and the U.S. engage in naval training exercises (January 2) PLAY VIDEO

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel and the United States are conducting a series of joint military missions this week and next to improve naval commands and protect Israelis from missile attacks.

The two countries will conduct joint exercises next week, possibly as soon as Sunday, to test Israel's new Arrow anti-missile system teamed with upgraded U.S. Patriot missile batteries, Israeli sources told CNN Thursday.

It will be the first time for Israel's new $2 million Arrow system to be tested with the Patriots.

On New Year's Day, the two nations teamed up with Turkey for an annual naval training exercise. While described as routine, the exercise comes as the United States increasingly appears headed to war.

This is the fifth year Israel, Turkey and the U.S. have conducted joint exercises. Other nations, including Jordan and Egypt were invited to participate but declined.

Israeli naval Capt. Ran Ben Yehuda says the exercise is being conducted despite the tensions with Iraq, not because of them.

"We are three navies with good relations and we do exercises from time to time and we don't want to change our schedule because of events in the area," Yehuda said.

Nevertheless, analysts report that an exercise featuring the flags of three nations sends a political message.

"For the short-term, there is also I think a political symbol for the region that says we are working together and the noose around Iraq is closing," said Gerald Steinberg, a professor at Bar-Ilan University.

Next week's anti-missile test is a more direct symbol.

During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, U.S. Patriot batteries deployed in Israel and in the region failed to prevent 39 Iraqi Scud missiles from striking Israel.

Israeli military officials refused to confirm when and where the tests will take place. One source, familiar with the Arrow system, told CNN the first test is expected to take place Sunday.

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