Secret $2.3bn Israeli-UAE Military Deal Sparks Alarm

Date: 17 December 2025 - 22:46

News ID: ۱۴۷۰۱۰

DUBAI (Dispatches) -- The United Arab Emirates has been revealed as the buyer behind a massive $2.3 billion mil;itary contract with Israeli firm Elbit Systems, according to French outlet Intelligence Online.
The deal, the largest in Elbit’s history, had until now been shrouded in secrecy, with the company describing the customer only as an “international strategic partner.”
The revelation underscores the growing militarization of Persian Gulf-Israel relations following the 2020 Abraham Accords, as Israeli military firms expand operations in the UAE and facilitate the transfer of advanced military technologies.
Elbit specializes in unmanned systems, airborne sensors, and autonomous combat solutions—tools that could allegedly significantly strengthen the UAE’s military capabilities while amplifying Israel’s regional influence.
Human rights groups warn the transaction could contribute to civilian harm and deepen instability across the Middle East. Israel’s ongoing military aggression in Gaza, alongside its attacks in Lebanon and Syria, has drawn repeated accusations of war crimes and disproportionate use of force. By exporting advanced systems to the UAE, Tel Aviv effectively spreads its military reach, enabling a regional partner whose role in conflicts remains opaque.
For the UAE, the deal represents a continuation of a pattern of aggressive military buildup. Abu Dhabi has shown increasing ambition to assert itself as a regional power, acquiring advanced capabilities such as the Legion-X unmanned systems and stakes in Israeli companies developing counter-drone technology. These acquisitions, combined with efforts to purchase U.S. F-35 fighter jets, signal a strategic alignment with Israel that could destabilize existing balances of power.
Critics argue the partnership prioritizes military expansion over accountability. Israel, despite Washington’s cautious stance on sensitive technology transfers to the UAE, has pursued a flexible approach, selling advanced systems even as U.S. officials weigh the risk of exposing cutting-edge technology through the Emirates’ broader international ties.
The growing UAE-Israel military nexus amplifies concerns over regional security. Both sides have histories of aggressive military posturing—Israel through repeated strikes in Gaza and incursions into neighboring territories, and the UAE through arms accumulation and participation in conflicts across the Gulf and Yemen. Civilian populations, particularly Palestinians, remain the most vulnerable, as the deal strengthens the capabilities of regimes implicated in violent campaigns and suppressive policies.
Analysts warn that the Elbit-UAE agreement is a sign of a deepening militarized alliance in the Middle East, one that could embolden further aggression, undermine peace efforts, and exacerbate humanitarian crises.