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Israeli Anti-UAV

Official Jerusalem allowed defense manufacturers to supply anti-drone systems to Ukraine. US media indicated it was the first time since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine that Tel Aviv approved defense export licenses for possible weapons sales to Kiev. The licenses have been approved for Israeli makers of anti-drone systems Elbit and Rafael, the officials told the media.

Insiders with knowledge of the development noted the license was approved by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in mid-February 2022 at the order of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to review the country's policy toward the Ukraine conflict.

Cohen reportedly notified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the approval of the licenses during his visit to Kiev on February 15. A Ukrainian official told the media that a delegation of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry had visited Israel to get information on the systems, but no contracts have been signed so far.

It's been reported that the Israeli side offered that Kiev procures its drones that use electronic warfare to jam and down drones within a range of some 25 miles and can be deployed near power plants or other critical sites to protect them from drones. The Ukrainian official said that Ukraine's Defense Ministry was interested in the procurement of anti-drone systems but added that these were deemed less critical than other arms.

According to media reports, Rafael and Elbit Systems received export licenses. Specific models are not given in the publications of Israeli publications. Companies that have received export licenses produce Red Sky 2, ReDrone and Drone Dome anti-drone systems. The first two models from Elbit Systems differ from each other in the presence of means of destroying targets detected in the air. Only Red Sky 2 has them. Rafael is promoting the Drone Dome system on the market. It is designed to detect, suppress and physically destroy drones.

• The Red Sky 2 portable air defense system entered service with the Israeli army in 2010. It is designed to detect and destroy air targets. The complex includes an optical-thermal imaging system, a radar, an electronic warfare station, as well as a combat module with MANPADS or a machine gun. It is manufactured by Elbit Systems.
• ReDrone complex presentation took place in 2016. It is designed to suppress the UAV control system. Elbit Systems claims that the complex is effective against all modifications of drones. The UAV interception range is 3-4 km.
• Drone Dome system is designed to suppress unmanned aircraft. Its developer is Rafael. She gained wide popularity thanks to the creation of the Iron Dome system. The Dome Drone includes the RADA RPS-42 radar, radio signal detectors, and imaging systems. A radar station with a 360-degree view is capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 3.5 km. The optical system detects drones at a distance of up to 3 km.

A senior Israeli official told the media that one of the reasons Israel approved the licenses was to possibly see how the defense systems perform against alleged Iranian drones, which Russia was accused of using in Ukraine by Western media outlets.

Western countries have repeatedly accused Tehran of supplying combat drones to Moscow for use in Russia's special operation in Ukraine. Moscow and Tehran have repeatedly denied that Russia has been procuring attack drones from Iran. The Iranian foreign minister said last year that Iran stopped selling drones to Russia months before it launched the special military operation on February 24, 2022.A senior Israeli official told the media that one of the reasons Israel approved the licenses was to possibly see how the defense systems perform against alleged Iranian drones, which Russia was accused of using in Ukraine by Western media outlets.

Western countries have repeatedly accused Tehran of supplying combat drones to Moscow for use in Russia's special operation in Ukraine. Moscow and Tehran have repeatedly denied that Russia has been procuring attack drones from Iran. The Iranian foreign minister said last year that Iran stopped selling drones to Russia months before it launched the special military operation on February 24, 2022.