Leaked internal Israeli documents have revealed details of new secret deals between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, including proposals to supply Abu Dhabi with advanced drones, intelligence systems and electronic warfare technology.
The disclosures provide another indication of the expanding military and security cooperation between the two sides since the signing of normalisation agreements in 2020.
According to the Hebrew-language newspaper Haaretz, the documents belong to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest military technology company, and contain internal proposals and correspondence prepared after the attack on the UAE capital Abu Dhabi in January 2022, when facilities inside the country were targeted in attacks claimed by the Houthis.
Following those attacks, Elbit Systems reportedly initiated a comprehensive proposal to supply the UAE with Hermes 900 drones as part of a plan to strengthen its reconnaissance, surveillance and electronic warfare capabilities.
$180 Million Hermes 900 Proposal
The documents show that the Israeli proposal included six Hermes 900 drones equipped with advanced reconnaissance and intelligence systems.
The package also included high-resolution surveillance cameras, systems capable of intercepting mobile communications, specialised electronic warfare equipment, and ground control stations for operating and managing the aircraft.
According to Haaretz, the estimated value of the military proposal was around $180 million, making it one of the largest offers made by Israeli military industries to the UAE since formal relations between the two sides began.
The documents also revealed what was described as a UAE “wish list” that included a request for four aircraft dedicated to electronic intelligence operations.
These aircraft were reportedly intended to provide advanced capabilities for intelligence collection, communications interception and electronic warfare missions.
The documents, however, did not establish whether this proposed deal was ultimately completed or remained under discussion.
Haaretz said the internal correspondence reflected growing Emirati interest in acquiring advanced Israeli systems following heightened security concerns arising from attacks on the UAE and broader regional threats.
Expanding Military Coordination
The disclosure comes after Israel announced in recent months that it had sent air defence systems and forces to the UAE to help confront Iranian attacks, reflecting what appeared to be an advanced level of military coordination between the two countries.
In recent years, security and military cooperation between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi has expanded significantly.
The relationship now includes air defence, intelligence, cyber security, military industries, joint exercises and broader security coordination in response to regional threats.
Since the announcement of the normalisation agreement between the two sides in 2020, Israeli-Emirati relations have grown rapidly across multiple sectors, particularly in defence cooperation.
Israeli companies have signed a number of agreements with Emirati institutions and companies in areas involving military and security technology.
According to the documents, Elbit Systems viewed the attack on Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to expand its presence in the Emirati market by offering advanced military solutions designed to address new security requirements created by regional developments.
Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Capabilities
The Hermes 900 is one of the most prominent unmanned aerial vehicles produced by Israel’s military industries.
It is used for reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence collection missions and can be equipped with a range of sensor packages and electronic warfare systems, giving it broad operational capabilities across different military environments.
The aircraft listed in the UAE’s reported “wish list” were also described as specialised electronic intelligence platforms.
Such systems are capable of intercepting communications, monitoring electronic signals and collecting intelligence data, while also supporting military operations through electronic warfare missions.
Cooperation Deepens Despite Public Opposition
The documents have emerged as Israel and the UAE continue strengthening political, economic and military relations.
This has continued despite widespread public criticism and opposition to normalisation in the UAE and across several Gulf states, particularly amid the continuing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and escalating regional tensions.
The documents published by Haaretz do not conclusively confirm that all the proposed deals were completed.
However, they reveal the scale of military discussions and proposals between the two sides and indicate that defence cooperation is moving into increasingly advanced fields, including unmanned aircraft, electronic intelligence and electronic warfare systems.
The disclosures further illustrate the continuing deepening of the security and military partnership between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
