“Israel’s air force is the best in the world,” President Shimon Peres told soldiers on a tour of the Palmahim air force base on Tuesday.

Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Air Force Commander General Amir Eshel led the tour, which viewed some of the air force’s most advanced technology.

Reminding the world of Israel’s capability to defend itself against regional threats, Peres said: “Not all of the IDF’s capability is on public display, it’s worth any country plotting against us to take that into account,” in a veiled reminder of prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s warning that Israel reserved the option of using military force to halt Iran’s quest for a nuclear weapon.

Israel has urged caution amid negotiations between Iran and the West, as Iran seeks to loosen sanctions in return for limits on its nuclear program.

Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz added: “Today many great challenges stand before Israel on many different fronts,” including, he said, “in the skies,” adding that the IDF “stood constantly prepared 365 days of the year on all fronts against every challenge.”

“We have the ability to meet any of the threats against us and will know how to respond,” Gantz said.

Peres added: “I am proud of the soldiers and commanders of the air force and of the entire army. Israel’s air force is the best in the world,” he added.

“It is the best equipped and most technologically advanced air force in the world, and most importantly,” he said, “with the most devoted and quality personnel.”  

Peres concluded the tour with a question and answer session with 15 outstanding soldiers selected from a range of backgrounds to showcase the rich diversity among air force personnel.