Leaked internal documents from Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest defense contractor, have revealed discussions about selling the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a significant number of advanced drones. This deal is part of a broader arrangement involving sophisticated Israeli weaponry intended for the Gulf nation.
Details of the Leaked Documents
The documents date from late 2021 to early 2023 and consist of price proposals, requests from the UAE, and communications among key officials within Elbit. However, it remains uncertain how many of the discussed transactions were completed. The information was released by the Iran-aligned hacker group, Handala, which apparently accessed the files from the private Gmail account of an Elbit employee who neglected to use secure company protocols for sensitive communications. The release of these documents has been covered extensively in media outlets, including the Haaretz newspaper and the anti-Israel platform Drop Site News.
Elbit Systems established an office in the UAE following the normalization of relations between the two countries under the 2020 Abraham Accords. While Elbit publicly acknowledged a $53 million contract for defense systems for Emirati fueler jets in January 2022, further details about ongoing negotiations remained largely under wraps. However, in November, the firm announced a substantial $2.3 billion deal to provide unspecified strategic equipment, which was reportedly for the UAE, according to a French defense intelligence publication.
Specific Drones Under Discussion
According to reports from Haaretz, a 2021 memo from Elbit suggests that Israel’s Defense Ministry had approved the sale of short-range SkyStriker loitering munitions and Hermes-900 reconnaissance drones to the UAE. The Hermes-900 drones are notable for their advanced capabilities, including high-resolution, multi-angle video footage that can be accessed in real time. Following attacks on the UAE from Yemen’s Houthi rebels in March 2022, the Gulf state urgently requested six Hermes-900 systems, leading to Elbit’s proposal to price each at $40 million.
This initial deal has since evolved, with interest from the UAE in acquiring a total of 15 systems, raising the estimated overall value to approximately $1.3 billion. Moreover, leaked communications indicated that Elbit pitched its newest drone, the Hermes-650, to the UAE in March 2023, prior to its public debut. The Hermes-650 features both signal intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities, marking a significant advancement in Elbit’s product line.
Further Enhancements in Defense Cooperation
In addition to potential drone sales, leaked documents included a confidential Emirati request for various airborne intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities. This suggests an intent to procure additional Elbit surveillance aircraft within a specific timeframe. In response to the escalating security situation in the region, Israel’s defense partnership with the UAE has reportedly reached unprecedented levels. In light of the ongoing Iran conflict, Israel sent Iron Dome missile defense systems to the UAE, marking the first time this equipment was deployed outside Israel.
This deployment underscores an evolving alliance, characterized by a mutual understanding of security threats posed by Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu covertly visited the UAE during the conflict, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership.
In conclusion, the leaked documents underscore the depth of defense cooperation between Israel and the UAE, revealing a variety of potential arms deals, particularly involving advanced drones. As global security dynamics shift, the implications of these alliances will likely continue to unfold in the coming years.