Israeli media has recently raised concern over the Jabbar 150 drone, the latest Egyptian weapons system, despite having been unveiled nearly six months ago. Israeli news platform Natziv Net reported Tuesday that the unveiling of the domestically produced drone at the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) in Cairo in December 2025 has become a growing source of concern within Israel’s security establishment. According to the report, Israeli concerns center on the drone’s operational capabilities rather than the origins of its technology. The Jabbar 150 reportedly has a range of up to 1,500 kilometers, can carry a warhead weighing about 50 kilograms, and may be powered by either a piston or jet engine, giving Egypt a long-range strike capability. The platform also highlighted the integration of real-time targeting systems in some variants through onboard cameras, allowing operators to identify and engage targets during flight rather than relying solely on satellite navigation. Egyptian authorities have not officially commented on the reports. Egyptian media, however, previously described the Jabbar 150 as a high-performance attack drone capable of flying at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour and remaining airborne for nearly 10 hours. The aircraft is also said to be the first in a family of drones that will include the Jabbar 200 and Jabbar 250. Retired Maj. Gen. Samir Farag, an Egyptian military and strategic affairs expert, said Egypt has every right to develop its armed forces and that its advanced military capabilities are intended to protect national security. Ahmed Fouad Anwar, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and an expert in Israeli affairs, said Egypt’s military strength has steadily grown since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has taken office in 2014. “That is what concerns Israel,” Anwar said. “Egypt’s priority is its own security, and it will continue to maintain credible deterrent capabilities.” Israeli scrutiny of Egypt’s military modernization has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Israeli newspaper Maariv recently claimed that US intelligence had detected signs of expanding military cooperation between Egypt and Türkiye that could affect regional power balances. Farag expects such rhetoric to increase ahead of Israeli elections, arguing that some political figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, may seek to portray Egypt as a potential threat for domestic political gain. Anwar believes Israeli pressure campaigns will continue, particularly as Egypt hosts Gaza ceasefire negotiations, warning that such reports risk unnecessarily heightening tensions between the two countries.
