How Israel Could Discreetly Aid Ukraine Militarily

Israeli defense firms have a good track record of modernizing older military hardware, including Soviet-era systems. Israel could use this proven expertise to aid the Ukrainian military discreetly.

Slovenia’s transfer of 28 of its M-55S tanks to Ukraine marks, as Israeli media has already noted, the first time that Ukraine has indirectly received Israeli military technology. After all, the M-55S tank is a modernized version of the vintage Soviet T-55 tank outfitted with improved armor, fire control systems, and a NATO-standard gun. Israel’s Elbit upgraded these Slovenian tanks back in the 1990s.

The transfer of this armor from Ljubljana coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s complaint that Israel has given Ukraine “nothing” to help it fight off Russia’s invasion.

“Israel gave us nothing. Nothing, zero,” he told French media. “I understand they are in a difficult situation with Syria, with Russia.”

While Israel has provided Ukraine humanitarian aid, it has consistently refused to send weapons systems, most likely out of its desire not to antagonize Russia. Israel’s air defenses are among the best in the world and were sought by Ukraine for protection against repeated Russian air and missile attacks.

(An Israeli defense contractor has reportedly been supplying drone defense systems to Ukraine via Poland, which could benefit Kyiv now that Russia has begun using large numbers of its newly-acquired armed Iranian drones in the conflict.)

The transfer of the Slovenian M-55S tanks suggests there is an indirect, but not insignificant, way Israel could help Ukraine.

Aside from the Slovenian tanks, the Israelis have upgraded other Soviet systems, including the Republic of Georgia’s small fleet of Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes. The “Scorpion” variant of the Soviet-era Frogfoot is outfitted with modern avionics and accurate air-to-ground munitions, among other features that hugely improved the capabilities of that rugged subsonic attack aircraft.

Israel also extensively upgraded Romania’s MiG-21s, creating the LanceR variant. These extensively modified MiG-21s are equipped with avionics comparable to more advanced fourth-generation fighters like the F-16 and are also compatible with Western precision-guided weaponry. The LanceR is a hugely improved and, aside from the basic airframe, almost unrecognizable version of the nimble jet that made its first flight all the way back in 1955.

Much has been written about the successful integration of the U.S. AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile on Ukraine’s Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrums. Israel has a proven track record of integrating disparate aircraft and weaponry. For example, Elbit successfully integrated the Russian R-73 air-to-air missile on India’s French-built Mirage 2000 fighters.

Israel also upgraded Turkey’s fleet of old American M60 Patton main battle tanks, creating the Sabra variant that comes with active protection systems and other major improvements, and significantly prolonged the service life of its third-generation F-4 Phantom II jets.

Israeli engineers have proven highly adept at taking third-generation aircraft, such as the F-4, and upgrading them to fourth-generation standards. Thailand’s F-5s are an apt example. Following upgrades, the new “Super Tiger” came “equipped with advanced operational capabilities such as a modern and powerful radar, a sophisticated EW (electronic warfare) suite, glass cockpit, high accuracy air-to-ground capabilities, advanced IRIS-T air-to-air missiles, and Elbit Systems’ Helmet Mounted Display.”

Ukraine could someday, in the not-too-distant future, field U.S. F-16s and M1 Abrams main battle tanks. But for now, its arsenal will most likely continue consisting mainly of Russian and Soviet-era hardware. Israel could help substantially upgrade this hardware. And experience operating Israeli-modified Russian hardware could possibly even help smoothen Ukraine’s eventual transition from Russian to Western weaponry.

Israeli engineers could modify existing Ukrainian jets and tanks if they are briefly transferred to other countries, possibly for repairs or other services. And it could upgrade Russian and Soviet aircraft and tanks currently in the arsenals of other countries before they are transferred to Ukraine (ditto for any older European hardware that might be transferred, like older German Leopard tanks). If Slovakia, Poland, or Bulgaria, ultimately give their MiG-29s to Ukraine, Israeli contractors could modify them too — making such fighters compatible with more advanced Western air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions would be particularly useful for Kyiv. Israelis could also upgrade the Russian T-80U tanks and air defense systems currently in the military arsenal of the Republic of Cyprus if Nicosia ultimately agrees to transfer them.

While Ukraine would probably much prefer a direct transfer of Iron Dome batteries and other high-end Israeli weaponry, this kind of behind-the-scenes assistance from Israel would undoubtedly be much better than “nothing”.