Israel, US, UK complete joint F-35 jet drills

Tel Aviv, June 30 (IANS) The Israeli military said that it has concluded a joint training exercise with the US and the UK involving the stealth F-35 fighter jets.The drill called "Tri-Lightning 2" was held jointly by the Israeli Air Force, the US Marine Corps, and the UK's Royal Air Force, the military said in a statement on Tuesday.The forces carried out various aerial scenarios, including "air-to-air combat, avoidance manoeuvering of advanced surface-to-air threats, as well as targeted strikes deep in enemy territory", the statement read.The exercise was aimed at strengthening the regional strategic cooperation and enhancing the cooperation within the international F-35 aircraft community through quality training, it added.The Israeli government has agreed to purchase at least 50 F-35 jets, of which 27 have been delivered.
--IANS ksk/