Israeli F-16I pilots get S-300 training opportunity

[Indus Falcon]

Israeli F-16I pilots get S-300 training opportunity
By: Arie Egozi
05-05-2015

The Israeli air force has used a bilateral exercise with its Greek counterpart to prepare for a potential situation where it will have to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.

In late April, the service took part in joint training with the Greek air force, which included performing missions against the nation's Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system. The same equipment will soon be supplied to Iran, under a proposed deal with Moscow.

Israel deployed a force of Lockheed Martin F-16Is of at least squadron strength from several of its bases to participate in the "Iniohos" exercise. Air forcecommander Maj Gen Amir Eshel visited the manoeuvres and flew a number of missions.

Recently, the commander of Israel's Nevatim air base, Brig Gen Lihu HaCohen, said the air force is getting ready for a number of possible scenarios, including the Iranian one.

The Israeli and Greek air forces have staged a number of joint exercises over the last few years.

NATO member Greece has been in possession of S-300s since the late 1990s, andis operating theair defence system from a base in Crete. Athens is also negotiating with Russia for the purchase of additional missiles.

According to foreign sources, the Israeli air force has acquired technical data about the long-range surface-to-air missile system, and now its pilots have had a chance to simulate a scenario in which they attack a site heavily protected with the S-300 and other advanced anti-aircraft systems.

Israeli F-16I pilots get S-300 training opportunity - 5/6/2015 - Flight Global

 

[Indus Falcon]

Israeli F-16I pilots use Greece’s S-300 SAMs to prepare for potential Iran air strikes
05-05-2015

The Israeli Air Force has used INIOXOS-2015, one the largest annual exercise of the Hellenic Air Force, to prepare for a potential situation where it will have to attack Iranian nuclear facilities by performing missions against the S-300PMU-1 surface-to-air missile system, stationed in Crete, according to Flightglobal.

Russia has recently lifted the ban on sale of S-300 systems to Iran.

The S-300 is a mobile air defense system that couples a radars capable to track multiple targets with long-range missiles to hit aerial targets at a distance of 150 km and an altitude up to 27,000 meters. Although well-known to the western air forces, it remains a lethal SAM system that Iran could field to protect its nuclear sites.

From Apr. 20 to 30, at least 150 combat planes from all Combat Wings/Squadrons of the HAF performed various missions, day and night, such as Counter Air Operations against Integrated Air Defence Systems, Anti Surface Force Air Operations, Fighter Sweep, HVAAE (High Value Asset Air Escort), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Time Sensitive Targets, Dynamic Targeting – Time Sensitive Targets.

Israel deployed 10 F-16I Sufa jets from four Squadrons (201 «The One», 253 «The Negev», 107 «The Knights of the Orange Tail» and 119 «The Bat) at the 117 Combat Wing/Andravida Air Base and U.S. Air Force in Europe dispatched a number of SF personnel as JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers).

The Israeli AF Commander Maj Gen Amir Eshel visited the troops and flew at least one mission over Aegean Sea along with his Greek counterpart Lt Gen Christos Vaitsis (with F-16D Block52+ ADV of 335 Sq. “Tiger”).

Thanks to the exercise in Greece (not the first attended by the Israeli since the deterioration of their relations with Turkey), the Israeli Air Force has gathered important data about the Russian SAM system and had the opportunity to test and improve evasion tactics during simulated attacks against ground targets protected by S-300 batteries.


The Aviationist » Israeli F-16I pilots use Greece’s S-300 SAMs to prepare for potential Iran air strikes

 

[Falcon29]

They can train all they want, it's well known they can evade such systems. Especially considering US logistical support that will come. However, Iran's nuclear program was built with consideration to what happened in Iraq and Syria. It won't repeat their mistakes. It will do what it can to protect nuclear facilities from bunker buster bombs. That is the best possible preparation Iran can take, it is best deterrence as well. Because if an Israeli strike can alter progress and make Iran need to reinvest and take up to 5 years to be where it was than Israel will launch aerial campaign and Iran will respond in same Saddam responded, it won't have much impact. The only thing that complicates this is fortyfing their facilities. And military infrastructure. If they work more on this, then a simple aerial operation won't bring intended results. Which would mean a ground invasion/long and expensive war would be needed. Which we all know Israel won't take part in.

So either the United States goes on Iraq-like adventure again or it acknowledges that a move like that would be a mistake as history tells it. Therefore unlikely any strike will occur. Israel will have to live with reality that world is moving in different direction and Western-iranian ties are going to become reality.

Remember the reason it doesn't want, because Iran will almost be like another Turkey in the region. Meaning less importance will be given to Israel if there is now 3 nations which are powerhouses in science, industry, indigenous projects. And that would also mean world will next focus on peace process. Which Israel doesn't want. So if it attacks Iran it will be because Israel fears Iran or Iran is anti-IIsrael, it will be to stall peace process once again. No offense to some Iranians, but they like boasting that the former is the case. When in reality its what I mentioned.

If US does get involved, it will want to keep a balance otherwise the Arab world will no longer find Iran as threat and Arab Sunni's will become stronger in areas like Iraq, Syria. It could possibly cause much instability that is way too much too risk for world.

 

[haman10]

Get trained to get smacked ?

doesn't need training dude .

 

[Serpentine]

Let them train as much as they want, they shall train till the eternity. The fact is, Israel is too coward to launch such attack on its own.

 

[atatwolf]

I hope Iran doesn't get s300 but if they get them. Israel will be prepared if Iran doesn't keep its word.

@Indus Falcon Thanks, I deleted the other thread.

 

[Providence]

Israel will not bomb Iran. PERIOD.

 

[Hack-Hook]

I hope Iran doesn't get s300 but if they get them. Israel will be prepared if Iran doesn't keep its word.

@Indus Falcon Thanks, I deleted the other thread.

So Israel want to go to war with Iran. well you knew we have a bad habit
of not starting a war so easily but also no to stop it either so easily .

 

[SOHEIL]

 

[Musalman]

Isn't S300 are for air "defense" meaning Israel is the one preparing for war Iran is only preparing for defense against aggressor

 

[mohsen]

Well, I'm sure they have trained for such a scenarios already and that's why they were begging Russians to cancel the deal.

 

[macnurv]

Israel will not bomb Iran. PERIOD.

Dont bet on it man, currently Obama and Nuts'n'Yahoo dont have much warmth in their relationship, especially after the stunt Yahoo pulled by addressing the US Congress.
2016 is an election year, time for all the politicians to pledge their allegiance to AIPAC, regardless Democrat or Republican. The moment Israel starts another war in Middle East, weather Americans like it or not they have to enter the war, unless the Israeli public puts extensive pressure on that nutjob but since he has demonstrated time and time again he can go to any level to remain the PM so anything goes.

 

[Providence]

Dont bet on it man, currently Obama and Nuts'n'Yahoo dont have much warmth in their relationship, especially after the stunt Yahoo pulled by addressing the US Congress.
2016 is an election year, time for all the politicians to pledge their allegiance to AIPAC, regardless Democrat or Republican. The moment Israel starts another war in Middle East, weather Americans like it or not they have to enter the war, unless the Israeli public puts extensive pressure on that nutjob but since he has demonstrated time and time again he can go to any level to remain the PM so anything goes.

No offence but muslims are already busy with each other in middle-east. I don't think Israel needs to foment anything more.

 

[macnurv]

No offence but muslims are already busy with each other in middle-east. I don't think Israel needs to foment anything more.

Makes no difference, it was the US Iraq war that started most of the current mess.

 

[Shams313]

Let them train as much as they want, they shall train till the eternity. The fact is, Israel is too coward to launch such attack on its own.

......................(Iran)...............comn israel.......