Israeli civil defense drill prepares for ballistic missile attack

TEL AVIV — Israel has launched a major civil defense exercise. Officials said the exercise, dubbed “Steadfast Home Front-1, was meant to simulate a ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The officials said the exercise, part of a multi-year defense plan, also tested interoperability by the military, Defense Ministry, other ministries and local authorities.

“Israel is the most threatened state in the world; it is under missile and rocket threat,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The exercise, which began on May 26, was the seventh edition of the annual civil defense drill. Officials said the latest exercise, scheduled to end on May 29, was meant to prepare military and civil authorities for a chemical or nuclear attack.

[link to www.worldtribune.com]


Russian Warplanes Go on 24-Hour Duty in Snap Alert Drill

MOSCOW, May 28 (RIA Novosti) – MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors are going on round-the-clock duty in northern Russia as part of a snap combat readiness check of the nation's aerospace defense capabilities, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The fighters, “in conjunction with A-50 airborne warning and control system aircraft, are performing continuous missions to protect the airspace, including from cruise missile strikes,” the ministry said in a statement. The aircraft are to be refueled while still in the air.

[link to en.rian.ru]