Israel provided Iron Beam laser defense system to UAE to boost defense against Iranian drones - report

Israel has provided the United Arab Emirates with advanced air defense systems, including the Iron Beam laser and Spectro detection technologies, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. The move is intended to strengthen the UAE’s defenses against Iranian missile and drone threats.

The report also highlighted close intelligence cooperation between the two countries, noting that Israel has shared real-time intelligence on Iranian efforts to launch short-range missiles toward Emirati territory.

Israel’s Iron Beam laser-based air defense system is designed to provide a cost-efficient air defense against drone and missile attacks and was declared operational in September 2025. While Israel’s Arrow and Iron Dome air defense systems have proven effective, interceptors cost tens of thousands of dollars.

By contrast, an Iron Beam interception costs only a few dollars and is designed to intercept short-range rockets and unmanned aircraft. This capability is relevant for the UAE, which has faced multiple attacks from Iranian Shahed across the Persian Gulf. Earlier this year, Israel deployed the Iron Beam system to intercept drones and rockets fired from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

Two individuals, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that Israel also provided the Emirati military with Spectro, a lightweight surveillance system that helped the Gulf state detect incoming Iranian drones up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) away.

The Iranian regime reportedly fired over 500 ballistic missiles and more than 2,000 drones against the UAE during the Iran war this last month. Emirati air defenses reportedly intercepted most of the incoming aerial projectiles from Iran, partly with assistance from Israel.

The UAE and Israel established full diplomatic relations as part of the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. Bilateral relations have since become very close between the two countries in fields like commerce, technology, science and military cooperation.

Axios and The Jerusalem Post recently reported that Israel sent an Iron Dome battery and soldiers to operate the air defense system on UAE territory against incoming Iranian missiles and drones. This is viewed as an unprecedented move that confirms the close ties between Israel and the UAE.

Speaking on condition of anonymity to Axios, a senior Emirati official expressed his country’s appreciation of the valuable Israeli military assistance.

"We are not going to forget it," the Emirati official said. However, the UAE is reportedly disappointed with the lack of support from Arab states while it faced Iranian attacks.

“In the face of Iranian aggression, several states have stepped up to provide real assistance to the UAE,” said former UAE government employee Tareq Alotaiba, who currently serves as a fellow at the Middle East Initiative at Harvard University’s Belfer Center.

“Primarily, the United States and Israel have proved to be true allies by offering support through extensive military aid, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic backing,” Alotaiba wrote.

Israeli, U.S. and Gulf state interceptor stockpiles were reportedly strained during the war as a result of comprehensive Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Middle East.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies assessed that the U.S. military used some 50% of its stocks of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot interceptors before the ceasefire came into effect in early April.