SteategicCooperation2

In 1987, Congress designated Israel as a major non -NATO ally. which allowed Israeli industries to compete equally with NATO countries and other close U.S allies. for contracts to produce a significant number of defense items. Israel aslo began to receive $3 billion in grant economic and military assistance. The following year, a new MOU was signed encompassing all prior greements. By the end of Reagan's term, the U.S had prepositioned equipement in Israel, regulary held joint traning exercises, began co-development of the Arrow Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile and was engaged in a host of other cooperative military endeavors.

Today, these strategic ties are stronger than ever. To cite a few examples.

* In early 1997, Israel linked up to the U.S missile warning satellite system, which will provide Israel with real-time warning if a missile is launched against it.

*Joint military exercises are regularly held, In November 2001 Marines held training exercises in the Negev.

*A joint Anti-Terrorism Working Group was created.

*A hotline was established between the Pentagon and the Israeli Defense Ministry.

*The United States continues to fund the research and development of Israeli weapons system and military equipment, including the Arrow missile, the Nautilus Tactical High Enery Laser, the Barak ship self-defense missile system, Bradley reactive Armor Tiles, Crash Attenuating Seats, the Have Nap missile and Unmanned Aeriel Vehicles.

* Because of its strategic location and its unquestionable relibility as an ally, the U.S had found Israel to be an ideal place for traning, maintenance and prepositioning of meterial supplies.

*More than 300 Department of Defense Personnel travel to Israel every month.

*Joint military exercises are regularly held, Israel has had more extensive naval exercises with U.S than any other country in the Middle East and has conducted a training exchange with Special American Anti Terror forces.

*Israel haifa port has routinely been declared to be the best and the most cost effective facility of its kind in the region by senior Navy official, Haifa receives approximately 40 Navy ships each year, hosting thousands of U.S sailors and Marines.

*Israel also makes other facilities available to the U.S including hospitals, traning areas, and bombing ranges in the Negev Desert.

* Most importanly, Israel is the only country in the area that U.S can truly rely to provide open and unhindered access to its ports and facilities.