Juniper Cobra: Israel and U.S. Plan Complex Joint Anti-Missile Defense Exercise in Event of Iranian Strike

In what is being hailed as one of the most extensive and sophisticated drills ever to be conducted, U.S. and Israeli officials are set to conduct a large-scale missile defense exercise sometime in 2012. The goal of the exercise is to refine a strong synergism between the two nations' missile defense systems. And this is none too soon, as Iran's relentless pursuit of developing its nuclear weapons arsenal forges full-steam ahead.

The joint exercise, dubbed "Juniper Cobra," is being conducted in the event of an Iranian strike. Israel National News reports:

To facilitate the "Juniper Cobra," exercise Air Force commander in the EUCOM Gen. Mark Welsh visited Israel for talks with Israel Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan.

Both the Arrow 2 and Iron Dome missile defense systems, and America's THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), as well as the ship based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System will take part in the exercise where actual launching interceptors will be used.

The aim of the exercise is to create the necessary infrastructure and interoperability between Israeli and American missile defense systems in the event the US government decides to deploy these systems in Israel pursuant to a conflict with Iran.

This seems to be a proactive step in the right direction where preempting Iranian aggression is concerned.

Watch the video report below: