FT: Iran’s attacks accelerate Israel-UAE strategic partnership

Israel deployed advanced defensive weapons systems to the United Arab Emirates during a large-scale Iranian missile and drone campaign, marking a significant step in bilateral military cooperation following the Abraham Accords.

According to sources familiar with the matter, quoted by the Financial Times, Israel supplied the UAE with multiple systems, including the Iron Dome air defence system, a version of the Iron Beam laser defence system, and a lightweight surveillance platform known as Spectro. The latter can detect incoming drones, including Shahed-type UAVs, from distances of up to 20 kilometres.

The Iron Beam system, designed to destroy short-range rockets and drones using directed energy, had only recently been deployed operationally by Israel. These systems were accompanied by Israeli military personnel tasked with operating and supporting the equipment.

In addition to hardware, Israel shared real-time intelligence on missile launch preparations in western Iran targeting the UAE. The Gulf state became a primary target during Iran’s retaliation in the wake of a joint US-Israeli military campaign.

Iran launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones at the UAE. Most were intercepted using a combination of air defence systems, including Israeli-supplied platforms.

To sustain the pace of operations, Israel reportedly transferred systems that were still in development or not fully integrated into its own military framework, accelerating their deployment in a live combat environment.

The episode underscores the deepening defence ties between Israel and the UAE since the normalisation of relations in 2020. The conflict also exposed the high cost and limited availability of traditional missile interceptors, driving demand for lower-cost alternatives such as laser-based systems and modified legacy weapons.

The UAE is now exploring upgrades to its existing missile stockpiles, including adapting older systems to improve effectiveness against drones, particularly those modelled on Iran’s Shahed platforms.

By Tamilla Hasanova