US and Israel Hold Anti-Missile Defence Drill Juniper Cobra

A joint anti-missile defence drill dubbed Juniper Cobra, conducted by US and Israeli forces is under way.

About 1,000 American troops from the European Command in the region are taking part in the exercise.

Israeli Radio reported that the biennial military drill is to test the "joint abilities" of the two forces. The forces will test their military capabilities to defend projectile attacks.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has not released specific details about the exercise.

The drill started earlier, but the anti-missile exercises are taking place only now.

As part of the exercise, US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel held a meeting with top Israeli authorities including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon.

Hagel reiterated the US commitment to stop Israeli rival Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"America's commitment to Israel's security is resolute. The United States' support for Israel is anchored in our nations' commitment to democracy and freedom," said Hagel.

Last July, the two countries conducted an aerial exercise named "Juniper Stallion 13" in which several F-15 and F-16 fighter jets took part.

"If we were able to build a regional defence capability in say, Jordan, that capability could easily defend Israel, Jordan and even Egypt, if you so desired, adding one more layer to your multi-layered defence," chief defence attaché for the US embassy in Tel Aviv John Shapland told a gathering of experts recently.