Camp Ariel Sharon

Camp Ariel Sharon, also called the City of Training Bases, is a complex of military bases under construction in southern Israel, belonging to the Israel Defense Forces and named after the former Major General Ariel Sharon. In total, it is a NIS 50 billion project.Upon completion it will be the largest military base in the country, with the ability to house over 10,000 recruits in training. The base is located near Yeruham and next to the Negev Junction of roads 40 and 224.The base will serve as an umbrella training facility, housing training bases 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 20 and other training bases, including noncombat recruit training bases. It will cover a built-up area of 230dunamHistoryThe project was formulated by the Planning Directorate of the Israel Defense Forces in 2002 as part of a multi-year plan. The cornerstone was laid on December 1, 2003 and the project was approved by the Israeli cabinet in April 2007.The headquarters of the base was inaugurated in November 2014. The Adjutant Corps School will move into the base in February 2015, followed by the Military Police School.Planning and constructionThe View to the Negev concern, which comprises Minrav, Binat and Electra, is building the project and will maintain it for 25 years, at a cost of NIS 12 billion, under a private-public partnership.