According to a report by Reuters, the Israeli government agreed to sell its Spyder (Surface-to-air Python and Derby) air defence system developed by Rafael to the UAE. This deal is unique as it is the first time this type of equipment has been sold to a Gulf country. 

The agreement highlights how, for certain Arab countries, national concerns like security and the economy have taken precedence over resolving the protracted Israeli-Palestinian problem.

Rafael’s cutting-edge Python-5 and I-Derby missiles are incorporated into the transportable system to offer short, medium, and long-range defence against a variety of threats, including cruise missiles, attack aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and more.

The device can engage several threats simultaneously within an 80 km range regardless of weather due to its wireless data link communication.

Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, Israeli defence officials have met with their regional counterparts over 100 times and inked agreements worth more than $3 billion in an effort to sign defence agreements and strengthen military ties.

Last week, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed visited Israel and met with President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defence Minister Benny Gantz.

Back in April, at least eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster heavy transport aircraft belonging to the UAE Air Force landed in Israel.

This type of airplane is designed to carry large payloads of 164,900 pounds, land on runways that are less 3,000 feet long, and travel 2,400 nautical miles.

All the airplanes landed at the Israel Air Force’s Nevatim and took off about an hour after landing. Although the reason for the large transport aircraft’s presence in Israel has never been revealed, it is assumed that they were most likely bringing equipment associated with bilateral defence agreements.

As the UAE is continuing to take part in the military campaign together with Saudi Arabia against the Iranian militia in the region, it has been subject to a drone missile attack back in January. With the Abraham Accords agreement normalising relations between the two countries, Israel agreed to supply the UAE with the assistance required to help protect the Gulf nation from such incidents in the future.

Due to the Iranian attempt to expand its influence in the region,  Israel and the UAE have already been covertly cooperating for years prior to the normalisation of the relationships. Both countries have significantly improved their intelligence-sharing and military relations in order to address growing Iranian dominance and be able to defend themselves from any potential attacks.