Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi arrived in Cyprus on Monday night to take part in a joint Israeli-Cypriot military drill.
The exercise, called “Beyond the Horizon,” will last for the remainder of this week, and will include land, sea and air forces, according to Israel Defense.
The objective of the exercise, the largest of its kind held with Cyprus to date, is to preserve combat readiness in a range of scenarios, including surprise events, the report said.
The IDF has sent conscripted and reserve forces, units from its 98th Paratroopers Division and Israeli Air Force fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft. Special forces from the Israeli Navy, including the Shayetet 13 commando unit, as well as the elite Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit and Intelligence Directorate personnel, will all take part.
“The goal is to drill the forces in combat deep in enemy territory, and [to] implement a variety of actions like activating combat helicopters, evacuating the wounded by transport helicopter, and parachuting logistical equipment by heavy transport squadrons,” said the report.
The exercise will see forces working in a variety of Cypriot terrain, including forests, urban settings, villages and hills.
According to Cyprus Mail, the drill will be joined by the Cypriot National Guard.
