Jerusalem, 12 July, 2022 (TPS) — An Israeli security delegation headed by the Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Eshel, participated on Tuesday in a strategic meeting in Rome focused on cooperation in the fields of procurement, research, and development together with the Italian Ministry of Defence.

As part of the strategic dialogue, Eshel spoke on Monday with the Director-General of the Italian Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. Luciano Portolano, and with the Chief of the Defense Staff of Italy, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.

Eshel was joined by Deputy Director General and Head of the DOPP in the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Avi Dadon, Israeli Defense Attaché, Col. Dror Altman, and additional officials.

The meetings focused on strengthening ties in the fields of procurement, and military equipment, broadening research and development processes, strengthening industrial cooperation between countries, and promoting key procurement initiatives.

Eshel expressed his “great appreciation, on behalf of the entire Israeli defense establishment, for the fruitful cooperation between the countries in the fields of procurement, research and development, and military cooperation,” and “emphasized the strategic alliance between the two countries and Italy’s firm stance alongside the State of Israel.”

In September 2020, Israel and Italy signed a reciprocal procurement agreement, in which the Israel Ministry of Defense purchased five AW119KX advanced training helicopters from Italy, and the Italian Ministry of Defense purchased Rafael spike missiles and Elbit Systems simulators in exchange. This agreement completed the exchange between Israel and Italy that began in February 2019.

It was also is a continuation of the 2011 agreement signed between the Israeli and Italian governments, in which the Israeli Ministry of Defense purchased 30 training aircraft in exchange for the purchase of an observation satellite and two airborne early warning systems.