An IAF F-15 aircraft. (IDF) (IDF)
IAF

The IDF has said in recent weeks that the army was stepping up its preparations for an attack on Iran and will hold a major exercise in preparation for such a possibility.

By Aryeh Savir, TPS

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) simulated on Tuesday night a massive strike against targets in a country situated a significant distance away from Israel.

The IDF stated that dozens of fighter jets conducted training to practice long-range attacks in the Mediterranean. The training included a simulation of a long-haul flight and a subsequent attack, including the practicing of aerial refueling.

The drill is apparently a simulation of an attack on Iran. The IDF has said in recent weeks that the army was stepping up its preparations for an attack on Iran and will hold a major exercise in preparation for such a possibility.

About 100 jets took off from several bases in Israel and flew toward Cyprus, where IDF Special Forces are deployed as part of the week-long “Beyond the Horizon” drill, the final phase of the military’s month-long “Chariots of Fire” exercise simulating a multi-front war.

At the end of three weeks of intensive training as part of the IDF’s “war month,” the last week of drilling is taking place in Cyprus, simulating a maneuver in Lebanon.

The Air Force, Special Forces, naval units, the Intelligence Division and cyber units, including reserve units, are maneuvering together in the exercise.

The “Beyond the Horizon” exercise will end this coming Friday.

The objective of the Chariots of Fire drill is to prepare the army for war, especially in the northern arena, with an emphasis on a combined confrontation in several different sectors at the same time.