Report: Israel transferred an advanced laser system to the United Arab Emirates

According to an extensive report last night (Thursday) in the “Financial Times” newspaper, Israel transferred advanced weapon systems to the United Arab Emirates, primarily the “Magan Or” laser-based air defense system. The move is intended to help the Gulf principalities defend themselves against a large-scale attack by missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles from Iran.

Sources involved in the matter told the newspaper that Israel also transferred to the Emirates the “Spectro” system, manufactured by Elbit, which helps identify UAVs from a distance of up to 20 kilometers. In addition, it is claimed that a version of the “Magan Or” laser system, designed to destroy rockets and UAVs at short range, was sent to the country after it had already been activated earlier this year on the northern border with Hezbollah. Along with these systems, it was reported that “Iron Dome” batteries were also deployed and dozens of Israeli military personnel were sent to help operate the equipment.

In the “Financial Times” it is explained that the need for laser systems and “cheap” defense solutions was born as a result of the pressure on the stock of expensive interceptors (such as the “Patriot” and “Thade”) of the USA and the Gulf countries, the cost of which reaches millions of dollars per interceptor. The use of lasers enables an effective and significantly cheaper confrontation against the swarms of Iranian drones.

For now, the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Rafael company and the Elbit Systems company refused to respond to the report. There was no official response from the United Arab Emirates either. However, a regional official stated to the newspaper that the deployment of the systems is a show of force that illustrates the “value of friendship with Israel”, and that Abu Dhabi intends to further tighten its security ties with Israel and the US.