Ukraine progressing in designing air defense shield inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome

“We don’t need their help in drone defense.

““We don’t need their help in drone defense”

EL PAÍS English

We know more about drones than anybody.

EL PAÍS English

We have the best drones in the world, actually.”

In a new gesture of public contempt for Kyiv, Donald Trump asserted last Friday on Fox News that his country does not require cooperation to counter the unmanned aerial vehicles Iran is using in the Middle East war to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli attacks.

The Jewish State, however, is signaling otherwise and appears to have Kyiv’s developed technology on its radar.

At the same time, Kyiv is trying to draw inspiration from the Israeli air defense system, the Iron Dome, to create its own.

Kyiv’s ambassador to Tel Aviv, Yevgen Kornichuk, and local sources cited by the press confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wishes to discuss the arms issue directly with Zelenskiy, a conversation that could take place soon.

Israel, in an attempt to play it safe and maintain its relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has for years ignored Kyiv’s request to provide access to its air defense system, which consists of several layers of protection at different altitudes.

EL PAÍS English

Netanyahu justified this in 2023, according to statements to The Wall Street Journal, by citing his fear that it would fall into Iranian hands.

He did, however, highlight the delivery of an early warning system that would help the Ukrainians anticipate casualties from airstrikes.

With the experience gained primarily over the last four years of conflict and tens of thousands of deaths on its conscience, Ukraine is now developing its own system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome.

““We don’t need their help in drone defense”

EL PAÍS English

With this mission, among others, in mind, Zelenskiy appointed Pavlo Yelizarov as the new deputy commander of the Air Force in January.

In an interview with Ukrainian journalist Yanina Sokolova, reported by various local media outlets, Yelizarov did not hide the fact that one of the main problems they face is the size of their territory.

Amid the controversy, Iran directly threatened Ukraine on Saturday, considering it an ally of Israel.

The Tehran regime thus added a new enemy to its list.

EL PAÍS English

Ibrahim Azizi, head of the parliamentary security committee, threatened Kyiv in a post on his X social media profile.

"By providing support to the Israeli regime with drones, Ukraine has effectively been drawn into the war and, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, has made its entire territory a legitimate target for Iran," he warned, alongside a photograph of Zelenskiy and Netanyahu.