An image from the “Noble Melinda” exercise. Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit’s Twitter account.

JNS.org – The Israeli Navy’s Salvage and Underwater Missions Unit this week concluded a wide-ranging two-week drill in Haifa dubbed “Noble Melinda” with its counterparts from the US and France.

The drill was the first of its kind to include the French Navy, and involved exercises with naval mines, underwater demolitions and sea-based terror attacks. The exercises also involved the use of anti-tank weaponry.

Throughout the drills, each navy used their own special gear and high-tech sonar equipment.

“The French are especially adept at neutralizing underwater mines due to previous French experiences in war. As such, we learned a lot from them in this respect and they learned a lot from us in underwater demolitions,” said a senior Israeli naval officer, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.