Israel’s defence establishment is on edge after the United Arab Emirates was revealed as the buyer behind a secret $2.3 billion arms deal with Israeli defence giant Elbit Systems — the largest in the company’s history. The agreement, involving advanced laser-based J-MUSIC aircraft protection systems, has triggered concerns in Israel over erosion of its military edge, technology leakage, and China’s potential access to sensitive Israeli defence technology through the UAE. With most details under publication ban, the deal is fuelling debate amid a post-Gaza surge in Israeli weapons exports.