Israel Deployed Iron Dome Battery and Troops to UAE During War with Iran
In a historic military first, Israel sent its Iron Dome system and operational troops to defend the UAE from Iranian attacks. A look at the secret deal between Netanyahu and MBZ that reshaped Middle Eastern defense during the conflict.
Israel secretly sent an Iron Dome air defense battery along with Israeli troops to the United Arab Emirates early in the 2026 war with Iran, according to three officials familiar with the matter.
Two Israeli officials and one U.S. official confirmed to Axios that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to deploy the system after a direct call with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The battery, including interceptors and several dozen IDF operators, was dispatched to help protect the UAE from Iranian missile and drone attacks.
This marks the first time Israel has sent an operational Iron Dome battery to another country.
Context of the Deployment
The UAE faced hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones in the opening weeks of the conflict that began in late February 2026. Iranian retaliation targeted Gulf states hosting U.S. and coalition assets, with the UAE reporting some of the highest volumes of incoming fire in the region.
The UAE’s existing multi-layered defenses, including U.S.-supplied Patriot and THAAD systems, as well as Israeli-made Barak-8, achieved high interception rates. However, the additional Iron Dome battery provided enhanced short-range protection against lower-altitude threats.
Israeli officials described the move as a rapid response to a request for assistance between Abraham Accords partners. No public announcement was made at the time to avoid escalating tensions.
Significance
The quiet deployment highlights the deepening, though often discreet, security ties between Israel and the UAE since the 2020 normalization agreement.
The UAE has maintained a defensive posture throughout the fighting, emphasizing its right to self-defense while avoiding direct offensive involvement against Iran.
No details were provided on the exact location of the battery or how long Israeli operators remained in the country. Officials declined to comment on the system’s performance or the number of intercepts it achieved.
Neither the Israeli nor Emirati governments have issued an official statement as of publication.