Recent intelligence confirms the UAE Ships Massive Military Arsenal to Israel via an Antonov An-124 aircraft carrying US Oshkosh trucks loaded with substantial military equipment. This shipment represents a significant escalation in defense cooperation between the two nations, occurring amid Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza that has resulted in at least 70,100 Palestinian casualties, primarily women and children.
The United Arab Emirates and Israel have steadily strengthened their military partnership since normalizing relations. On August 23, the UAE transferred approximately 40 tonnes of military equipment to Israel, marking the first verified direct supply between the countries. Furthermore, in 2024 alone, signatories of the Abraham Accords accounted for 12 percent of Israel’s nearly $15 billion in arms exports.
This increasing flow of weapons occurs despite international concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. According to the Center for International Policy, Israel received over $4.2 billion in US military equipment, including tanks, explosives, ammunition, and aircraft parts, between October 2023 and May 2025. The value of the UAE’s purchases increased by 7% in 2022 compared to the previous year, exceeding $3 billion, highlighting the growing financial stakes in this evolving defense relationship.
UAE Ships Massive Military Arsenal to Israel via Antonov aircraft
An Antonov An-124 Ruslan aircraft loaded with American-made military trucks landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on Friday after flying directly from the United Arab Emirates. This massive transport plane delivered what observers described as “Oshkosh” military trucks containing substantial amounts of military equipment.
The unusual cargo flight marked a notable development in the expanding defense cooperation between the two nations. Flight tracking data confirmed the aircraft’s path from the UAE to Israel. Israeli media outlet KAN News first reported the arrival of this significant shipment, highlighting the distinctive forward-tilted fuselage of the Antonov during unloading operations.
Interestingly, following a brief stay in Israel, the military trucks were reloaded onto the same aircraft. The Antonov subsequently departed Israel, returning to the UAE after making a short stopover in Georgia. The purpose behind this complex transportation arrangement remains officially undisclosed.
Military analysts note that the Antonov An-124 is among the world’s largest cargo aircraft, specifically designed for transporting heavy and oversized payloads. The presence of American military vehicles moving through this UAE-Israel-Georgia route reflects the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
The shipment adds to what Israeli sources characterize as “a steady flow of military supplies” now regularly entering the country. This particular delivery represents one of the most visible examples of direct military equipment transfers between the UAE and Israel, thus far.
Why does the timing of the shipment raise global concerns?
The military shipment from the UAE to Israel arrives at a particularly contentious moment in global politics. Public opinion regarding Israel’s military actions has shifted dramatically in recent months. A new Quinnipiac University poll reveals 60% of American voters now oppose sending additional military aid to Israel, while only 32% support it. This represents the highest opposition recorded since polling began in November 2023.
Additionally, a New York Times/Siena survey found 51% of Americans oppose providing economic and military aid to Israel, marking a stunning reversal from previous decades of bipartisan support. The same poll indicates 40% of voters believe Israel is intentionally killing civilians in Gaza, nearly double the number who held this view in 2023.
This shift in sentiment crosses political lines, albeit unevenly. Although 71% of Republicans still approve of Israel’s actions, overall American approval has fallen to just 32%, the lowest reading since polling began. Meanwhile, 75% of Democratic voters oppose military aid to Israel.
The UAE’s shipment has also ignited condemnation from human rights organizations concerned about civilian casualties. Moreover, despite facilitating arms transfers, the UAE has established clear boundaries, warning Israel that occupying the West Bank would “end the vision of regional integration” and be considered crossing a “red line”.
Nevertheless, while many global airlines have suspended flights to Israel due to security concerns, Emirati carriers continue operations, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to its partnership despite escalating tensions.
How UAE-Israel relations have evolved since the Abraham Accords
The Abraham Accords, signed in September 2020, marked a historic turning point as the UAE became the first Gulf state to establish formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Consequently, both nations rapidly expanded cooperation across multiple domains.
Bilateral trade soared to €2.76 billion in 2024, representing a 43% increase. Approximately 600 Israeli companies established offices in the Emirates, with nearly 1 million Israeli tourists visiting in a single year. Indeed, UAE-Israel flights remained operational throughout regional tensions when other carriers suspended service.
The partnership extends beyond economics into security matters. Both countries maintain a joint intelligence platform nicknamed “Crystal Ball” focused on cybersecurity threats. Military collaboration includes joint exercises with the U.S. military, such as when UAE Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets joined Israeli Air Force units for multinational drills in Greece.
Recently, work advanced on an ambitious railway project connecting Abu Dhabi with Haifa. This “Peace Railway” forms part of the broader India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, designed to reshape regional trade patterns.
Even as the UAE condemned Israel’s actions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, trade between the nations flourished. Emirati officials maintain that normalized relations give them leverage to influence Israeli policy and provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.