British, Spanish warships arrive in Israel for joint naval exercise

JERUSALEM, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The British HMS Duncan and Spanish frigate Victoria, commissioned by NATO forces, docked in northern Israel's Haifa port, the Israeli military said Friday.

This is the first time that the Spanish frigate docked in an Israeli port, said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement.

Following the arrival, a joint NATO-Israeli naval exercise will be held as well as high-level meetings between Israeli Navy officers and their NATO counterparts, said the IDF.

It added that the exercise is indicative of NATO's commitment to the strategic relationship with the Israeli Navy, and to the maintenance of stability in the region.