IDF Northern Command will begin an all-inclusive exercise codenamed Or Hadgan, which last took place 19 years ago, during which tens of thousands of soldiers will be trained in all aspects of the northern theater.
"The goal is to train all the forces," says a senior officer, explaining that "the next war will be different from anything we have known so far and therefore we must prepare for it properly. The exercise integrates all arenas: sea, land, air, and telecommunications, and will be performed in three phases."
"In the first phase, during the defensive stage, forces will simulate a terrorist infiltration and the takeover of a northern settlement, while at the same time the IDF will deliver massive fire while rounding up forces.
"In the second phase, an attack will be simulated, integrating all relevant forces and shifting command assignments deriving from the need to practice scenarios that are not prepared in advance."
The senior officer said the preparations for the exercise lasted more than six months, feature full combat posture, and were approved at chief-of-staff level.
A number of brigades and reservists will participate in the exercise, including infantry, armored corps, artillery, regional brigades, reconnaissance battalions, and other units. READ MORE
