'Israel' to export licenses for anti-drone systems for Ukraine: Axios
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"Israel" could have approved export licenses for the possible sale of anti-drone jamming systems to Ukraine.
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Drone Dome is a drone detection and neutralization system developed by Israeli company Rafael (Rafael Systems)
Three Israeli and Ukrainian officials said that "Israel" recently approved export licenses for the possible sale of anti-drone jamming systems that could help Ukraine counter alleged Iranian drones used by Russia during the war, according to Axios.
It's the first time since the NATO-orchestrated war in Ukraine over a year ago that "Israel" has approved defense export licenses for possible weapons sales to Ukraine.
"Israel" has been cautious not to provide military assistance to Ukraine, fearing that doing so would aggravate tensions with Russia and jeopardize "Israeli security interests" in Syria, according to Axios.
The Ukrainian government increased its demands for Israeli military assistance after Russia was accused of allegedly using "Iranian-made attack drones" during the war, the newspaper continued.
However, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani said on December 22, 2022, that Kiev failed to provide concrete evidence proving that Iran had supplied drones to Russia.
Ukrainian officials claim that providing weapons systems to Ukraine is in the occupation's best interests because Iran can "learn how the drones work and then improve them."
Read next: 'Israel' to officially send air warning systems to Ukraine
According to Axios, Iran has admitted to delivering drones to Russia prior to the war but denies doing so after it began. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Russia denies using Iranian-made drones during the war.
While "Israel" was conducting a Netanyahu-ordered review of its policy toward the war, the approval of the export licenses by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen came in mid-February, the Israeli and Ukrainian officials said. According to Israeli officials, the review has been completed but no new decisions have been made.
Cohen notified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the approval during his trip to Kiev on Feb. 15, according to Axios.
According to Israeli and Ukrainian officials, the licenses were granted to two Israeli companies, Elbit and Rafael, which develop anti-drone systems.
According to a Ukrainian official, a delegation from Ukraine's Ministry of Defense recently visited "Israel" to receive a presentation on anti-drone systems. No agreement has yet been reached.
"Israel" proposed that Ukraine purchase electronic warfare systems to jam and down drones, according to Axios, adding that the systems have a range of about 25 miles and can be used to protect power plants and other critical sites from drones.
Read next: 'Israel' helping Ukraine behind the scenes: Israeli envoy in Berlin
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is interested in the systems, but they are viewed as less critical because Ukraine has intercepted drones 75-90% of the time, according to Ukrainian officials. "What we really need is a defensive system against ballistic missiles," a Ukrainian official told Axios.
Israeli officials claim the approval of the export licenses is not a shift in policy because the systems are defensive in nature and do not use any live fire that can kill Russian soldiers. “Israel is assisting Ukraine in the defense and civilian fields. Every request is being reviewed according to the defense export policy to Ukraine. We don’t elaborate on that for national security and foreign policy considerations,” the Ministry of Defense said.
According to a senior Israeli official, one of the reasons "Israel" approved the licenses was to see how the defense systems performed against Iranian drones, reported Axios.
