JERUSALEM, May 29: Israel announced on Monday it would fully participate in a Nato naval exercise for the first time, bolstering defence ties with the western military alliance in the face of arch-foe Iran’s nuclear programme.

Israeli military officials said the exercise, dubbed Cooperation Mako, would take place next month in the Black Sea and involve simulated combat between missile boat fleets as well as search-and-rescue drills.

“This marks the first time a unit of the Israel Navy will fully participate in an operational Nato exercise,” said an Israeli military statement.

Israel had previously held only observer status in such manoeuvres.

Alon Ben-David, Israel analyst for Jane’s Defence Weekly, said Cooperation Mako aimed mainly to improve Nato security missions in the Mediterranean, and that Israel was especially interested in combined air force exercises.

“Given Israel’s strategic reality, it is crucial to be part of a defensive coalition,” Ben-David said.

Israel, Algeria and Morocco agreed in April to join Nato counter-terrorist patrols along their shores.—Reuters