The Israeli Air Force (IAF) and the Italian Air Force have concluded a two-week exercise in Sardinia, Italy.

The exercise was aimed at strengthening IAF operational capabilities and training its aircraft in large, unfamiliar airspaces along with foreign aircraft.

The drills saw the first international training deployment of the Israeli Eitam early warning air traffic control system.

An IAF spokesperson said the exercise helped pilots learn “to fly at low altitude over the vast uninhibited areas, perform precision navigation flights and practice cooperation with foreign Nato elements as part of coalition operations”.