JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In an historic first visit by the head of the Israeli defense establishment to the Persian Gulf, Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Bahrain Thursday, situated less than 200km from Iran. Gantz visited the US Navy’s 5th Fleet and participated in a trilateral meeting with Bahraini Defence Minister Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Nuaimi and US 5th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper. At the meeting Commander Cooper said that “we will always be at our best when we are in a partnered effort.”
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After the meeting, Gantz tweeted: “Against a backdrop of increasing maritime and aerial threats, our ironclad cooperation is more important than ever. We reaffirmed our commitment to stand united in defense of the sovereignty of our regional partners as well as peace and stability in the region.”
The defense minister visited the USS Cole, which was struck by an Al Qaeda suicide attack in 2000 that killed 17 sailors and injured 39 more.
Welcoming the “long-standing partnership” between the US Navy and Israel, Gantz said that “deepening cooperation will help defend against the common enemy of Israel, the United States and Bahrain,” who have common interests and shared values.
According to Gantz, because of the Abraham Accords, the work with the 5th Fleet has increased and is reflected in this “significant” visit.
“We will continue working together so this region can enjoy peace, prosperity and security,” he said, adding that it is a “strategic necessity” against maritime and other threats in the region.
Gantz will also sign security agreements with Bahrain during the course of his visit
Gantz’s visit to the fleet comes as Israel is taking part, for the first time, in the largest group of American-led naval drills with 60 other naval fleets, including countries that the Jewish state does not have ties with.
“The Israeli Navy will join 60 naval fleets for the US Navy-led ‘IMX’ International Naval Exercise,” the IDF said. “For the first time, our Flotilla 3 & Underwater Warfare Unit will train with the US 5th Fleet in the Red Sea. We look forward to strengthening security & global cooperation.”
Known as the International Maritime Exercise (or IMX), more than 9,000 personnel and up to 50 ships from more than 60 militaries and international organizations will take part in the exercise that will focus on unmanned naval systems and the use of artificial intelligence.
I was Under the impression that once Netanyahu signed an agreement with Chad we wouldn’t need anything else. Seems like Chad only takes us 90% of the way.