The International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2022, led by the US Navy, concluded earlier this week. The fact that the Pakistani and Israeli Navies shared any military platform for the first time ever made this 18-day biennial event stand out.
According to various Israeli media reports, the Israeli Navy participated in a military exercise with countries that do not have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state for the first time.
According to Israeli Naval Chief David Salama, Israel’s participation in the US-led naval exercise demonstrates the two countries’ strengthening bilateral relationship based on strategic partnership.
He went on to say that the Israeli Navy will continue to collaborate with the US to keep the regional maritime arena peaceful and to strengthen the security of the region’s littoral territory.
Commodore Waqar Muhammad of the Pakistan Navy, who was also the Deputy Commander of the IMX 2022, stated that this year’s IMX provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for navies from around the world, maritime organizations, and communities to demonstrate global resolve to preserve the rules-based international order.
The IMX drill, which began in 2012, is the largest naval exercise held in the Middle East. The IMX 2022 attracted 9,000 personnel from 60 countries’ navies, including Pakistan and Israel, in its seventh edition. The event was also attended by Saudi Arabia, Oman, Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen, all of which do not recognize Israel.
The IMX 2022 was also attended by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, the third and fourth Arab countries to recognize Israel after Egypt and Jordan.
To read our blog on “Pakistan officials’ phones hacked by Israel spyware,” click here.
