Joint exercises with the Israeli Ground Forces took place for the first time on Greek territory from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 February 2023. The said exercises are conducted in the context of the Military Cooperation between Greece and Israel, in accordance with the planning of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) regarding the international cooperation of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

According to a relevant announcement of the HNDGS, the framework of these joint exercises was agreed upon during the talks held by the Chief of HNDGS, General Konstantinos Floros, with the former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi, during his official visit to Israel in June 2022. The framework included the participation of the Israeli Forces in operational training activities, as below:

• In the CFX/LIVEX (Command Post Exercise/Live Exercise)-type Exercise “THRACIAN COOPERATION – 23 (THRACO 23), which is held from February 13 – 24 at the “PETROCHORIO” Tank Shooting Range in Xanthi with the participation of the US. The exercise focuses on aircraft operations, operations in urban areas, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) of Fighter Aircraft, firing execution of AH-64 helicopters, Artillery and Tank fires as well as use of Tactical Engagement Simulation Systems.

• In the CPX/LIVEX-type Logistic Exercise at the “AMPELONA” training field in Komotini, which focuses on the deployment of a Mobile Helicopter Refuelling Point and a mobile field bakery.

• In urban warfare at the training field of Xanthi and at the Special Training Center for the Urban Warfare and Peace Missions in Kilkis, focusing on house evacuation, fast-roping, and rappelling techniques, Rapid Response Combat shots as well as on First Aid provision on the battlefield.

• In the exchange of information and know-how for the neutralization of explosive and incendiary devices as well as of improvised devices in the School of Engineering.

• In the training of Israeli Officers of Armored Vehicles at the Simulator Center in Alexandroupoli and their information about the capabilities of the INIOCHOS Combat Management System of the LEO 2HEL main battle tanks.

• In the demonstration of items related to the surveillance and guarding of borders in Alexandroupoli, Soufli, and Didymoteicho, on a hypothetical prevention scenario, with the deployment of patrols with military dogs, electro-optical sensors, and cameras.

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