US-Iran War: Israel sent an Iron Dome battery along with military personnel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the early days of war with Iran in a first-ever overseas deployment of its air defence system,
Axios reported, citing Israeli and US officials familiar with the matter.
As per the report, the deployment took place in the early days of the war after Abu Dhabi came under missile and drone attacks from Tehran targeting US bases and installations across the Gulf.
According to the report, the UAE is said to have sought support from its allies amid Iran’s relentless attack on the country’s infrastructure during the war. Reportedly, Tehran launched some 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones, according to the Emirati defense ministry. While most of the projectiles were intercepted, some struck civilian and military targets, reportedly prompting the government to seek help.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the deployment of Iron Dome in the UAE after speaking with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, Axios reported. The Israel Defence Forces is said to have sent an Iron Dome battery along with interceptors and several dozen personnel to operate it on the ground.
According to a senior Israeli official, this was the first time Israel had deployed an Iron Dome battery to another country, with the UAE becoming the first nation outside the US and Israel to use the system.
The delivery of the Iron Dome during a time of crisis has deepened the UAE-Israel relationship, according to the report. Officials of both countries have noted that Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi have been in close coordination with each other during the war with Tehran.
An Emirati official cited by Axios noted that the UAE was “not going to forget” Israel’s help during the critical moment.
A second official also praised other countries – including the US, UK, France, Italy and Australia – who helped Abu Dhabi defend itself during Iran’s sustained attacks. “It was a real eye-opening moment. To see who our real friends are,” the official reportedly said.
What Is Iron Dome?
The Israeli-designed Iron Dome system is meant to protect populated areas and critical assets by neutralising short-range aerial threats. The defence system can intercept targets in the airspace and performs fast, complex calculations to detect the trajectory, speed and expected target of the rocket. It then uses these calculations to destroy the missiles in the air.
The weapon system has been designed to help combat shorter-range rudimentary weapons like the rockets fired from Gaza. Each battery of the Iron Dome has a radar detection and tracking system, a firing control system and three launchers for 20 interceptor missiles.
