Israel recently approved the export licenses for the possible sale of anti-drone jamming systems that could help Ukraine counter Iranian drones used by Russia during the war, three Israeli and Ukrainian officials told Axios.
It's the first time since Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine more than a year ago that Israel has approved defense export licenses for possible weapons sales to Ukraine. Israel has been careful not to give military assistance to Ukraine, fearing such a move could create tension with Russia and harm Israeli security interests in Syria.
After Russia allegedly started using Iranian-made attack drones during the war, the Ukrainian government increased its pressure for Israeli military assistance. A Ukrainian official told Axios that a delegation from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense visited Israel recently to get a presentation on the anti-drone systems. No deal has been signed yet. The systems Israel proposed that Ukraine buy use electronic warfare to jam and down drones. The systems have a range of around 25 miles and can be positioned near power plants or other critical sites to protect them from drones.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is interested in the systems, but they are viewed as less critical because Ukraine has been able to intercept the drones between 75–90% of the time, the Ukrainian officials said.
"What we really need is a defensive system against ballistic missiles," a Ukrainian official told Axios.