During Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Hatzerim Air Force Base. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

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During Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Hatzerim Air Force Base, he was accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and the Chief Commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan.

Netanyahu was impressed by the readiness of the IAF and explained: “My most lasting impression today is of the commitment to executing the mission of defending Israel. The IAF is very dedicated in achieving this goal, and will be successful doing so, from my perspective.” 

The Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, said during the visit: “There are extraordinary challenges and opportunities facing the State of Israel. Our ability to look towards a political horizon is derived from the strength of the IDF. There is a great effort to prepare for threats, in the mental, technological and operational fields.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu visited an exhibition of different aircraft and weapons systems used by the IAF, including combat aircrafts, attack helicopters, transport and instructional planes, various ordinance, the Arrow anti –missile defense system and other air-defense equipment, as well as satellite systems. He was also briefed about the transfer of the IAF to Southern Israel, the unique courses offered by the IAF which are tailored to ultra-orthodox soldiers and the significant efforts made by the IAF in the technology educational field in over 50 Israeli educational institutions.