The Israeli military plans to hold a large-scale exercise in Cyprus in the summer, making for the IDF's first extraterritorial drill, Israel Hayom learned Monday.
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The week-long maneuvers will include IDF commandos and special forces, Air Force and Navy troops, and regular and reserves forces with the military's Depth Corps, which coordinates the IDF's long-range missions and operations deep behind enemy lines.
The drill will be part of the "war month" – a comprehensive, four-week exercise seeking to simulate prolonged battle conditions with the aim of boosting the military's wartime readiness.
Maneuvers will include multiple battle scenarios pertaining to the northern sector, Judea and Samaria, and the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the most severe contingencies the IDF currently has. The Cyprus drill will encompass the last week of the exercise when the troops will simulate combat in unfamiliar territory.
Depth Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Itay Virov will serve as drill commander.
Other than Ground Forces, the exercise will also include a large IAF and Navy contingents. The IAF plans to send fighter squadrons, assault helicopters and transport planes to Cyprus, while the INF will shuttle missile boats and warships to Nicosia.
While the Cyprus drill takes place another large-scale drill will take place in Israel, seeking to streamline the General Staff's command and control protocols, Military Intelligence and army logistics in a multi-front battle simulation.
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