From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 1, 2026
Israel deployed laser system in UAE to help intercept Iranian missiles and drones — report
Israel dispatched a version of the Iron Beam laser-based air defense system to the United Arab Emirates during the recent fighting with Iran to help protect the Gulf nation from missile and drone attacks, according to a report in the Financial Times.
The British newspaper reports that Israel also sent a surveillance system known as Spectro to help detect Iranian drones from up to 20 kilometers away, with a regional official saying the deployment of the advanced weaponry shows “the value of being Israel’s friend.”
The report additionally notes that Israel deployed the Iron Dome to the UAE along with troops to operate it, which was previously revealed by Axios.
“It’s not a small number of boots on the ground,” a person familiar with the matter is quoted as saying, referring to the number of Israeli soldiers in the UAE.
The Times of Israel Community.