Key facts
- Israel aims to scale up exports of its layered air defence system, with the UAE as a target buyer.
- Discussions between Israel, the UAE, and the US are focused on enhancing the UAE's layered defence capabilities.
- Israel's recent $3.5bn air defence system sale to Greece is being used as a blueprint for future deals.
- The UAE is considered a prime candidate due to existing defence cooperation with Israel, including the deployment of Iron Dome batteries.
- Greece is developing an air defence system, Achilles Shield, with Israeli design and components, including David's Sling and SPYDER systems.
Israel is reportedly planning to expand the export of its layered air defence systems, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) identified as a key target market. These discussions follow a significant $3.5 billion deal for similar systems sold to Greece.
Sources familiar with the ongoing talks, which involve the US, indicate a focus on addressing gaps in the UAE's existing defence capabilities. The success of the Greece deal is seen as a model for future export strategies, with one former US official describing it as a "profit machine" for Israel that offers systems cheaper and more exportable than US alternatives.
The UAE's existing defence cooperation with Israel, including the deployment of Israeli Iron Dome batteries during recent tensions with Iran, makes it a prime candidate. The two nations have previously agreed on joint development and acquisition of weapons systems. While the UAE operates US-made Patriot and Thaad systems, as well as Israel's Barak air defence system, it is noted that a fully layered defence capability is still lacking.
These developments highlight Israel's strategy of integrating its technology with strategic partners, forming a network that includes Greece and Cyprus in the west, and the UAE and India to the east. This move comes amid broader geopolitical shifts, including the formation of the Mecca Pact by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, aimed at bolstering defence cooperation.
Exporting complex air defence systems involves intricate components like command and control systems, sensors, and radars. Israel's tiered system for Greece, designed to counter a wide range of threats from ballistic missiles to UAVs, represents a comprehensive defence array. Greece's purchase includes David's Sling and SPYDER systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and the Barak MX system from Israel Aerospace Industries, along with multi-mission radars from IAI's ELTA Systems unit. Greece is the second customer for David's Sling, after Finland.