From Israel via Poland: Ukraine receives anti-drone system

This is reported by the Israeli mass media with reference to sources, writes The Times of Israel.

A source in the firm said that the equipment was sold to Poland to circumvent Israel's refusal to sell modern weapons to Ukraine.

The company told the Defense Ministry that the sale was to Poland and appeared to claim it was unaware that Warsaw had acted as an intermediary in the transfer of arms to Kyiv, which was using Israeli systems to fight Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Defense industry sources clarified that anti-drone systems, which can intercept and disable unmanned aerial vehicles, are classified as "advanced defense technology" and are therefore not approved for sale in Ukraine.  However, the Israeli government does not seem interested in disrupting the deal.

Israel's Defense Ministry opposes the sale of both offensive and advanced defense systems to Kyiv on the grounds that it would damage Jerusalem's "delicate relationship" with Moscow.

Israel has tried to maintain ties with Russia, particularly over Russia's military presence in neighboring Syria, although relations have cooled recently as Jerusalem has become increasingly outspoken about Ukraine.

While refraining from sending weapons, Israel has supplied Ukraine with basic defense equipment such as helmets and bulletproof vests, as well as humanitarian aid such as medicine and blankets.  In July, Israel began providing direct financial support to civilian aid organizations operating in the war-torn country.  They also ran a field hospital in western Ukraine for six weeks until it closed in April.

Jerusalem's refusal to send military aid angered Kyiv, which called on Israel to sell it the Iron Dome and other defensive weapons.

Israel is considered a world leader in the development of anti-drone technology, which involves several Israeli companies — Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit, MCTECH, Spear and Avnon Group.  The Israeli systems were deployed by Azerbaijan during the conflict with Armenia and were also sold to the US and countries in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe.