IDF Launches Most Extensive War Drill In Decades

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday the start of its largest war drill in decades, dubbed “Chariots of Fire.”

The month-long exercise will prepare forces for intense multi-arena combat in the air, at sea, on land and in the cyber arena, a statement by the Israeli military stated.

“The IDF’s top priority is to protect Israeli civilians and strengthen the sense of security within the State of Israel. Throughout the exercise, IDF soldiers will continue to carry out counter-terrorism activities and strengthen defensive efforts at the Judea and Samaria security barrier,” it said.

It described the operation as one that “aims to both increase the IDF’s defensive readiness and examine its preparedness for an intensive and prolonged campaign.”

“Chariots of Fire” will include regular and reserve IDF personnel from all commands, branches and directorates, according to the statement. IDF combat units, headquarters and professional arrays will all participate.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi defined the goals of the exercise as including the improvement of the IDF’s operational systems and defensive readiness for armed conflict; training in implementing the “victory” operational concept, which is based on conducting a sequence of high-rate operational and defensive activities and maneuvering on land, sea, in the air and cyber in a coordinated manner; applying lessons learned from the conflict Israel fought with Hamas in May 2021; and examining the performance of all IDF personnel, ranging from the headquarters level to the operational end.

“The exercise will train the IDF’s response to challenges from developing events across various arenas, as well as emergency scenarios in both military and civilian spaces. In addition, operational activities will be trained in various scenarios and will test assistance efforts and life-saving capabilities on Israel’s Home Front,” said the IDF. “During the exercise, and continuing throughout the month, large-scale movement of security forces including military and armored vehicles, aircraft and vessels will be seen.”

The IDF stressed that the war drill had been planned in advance and is a part of the military’s 2022 training schedule.