UAE Multi-Layer Defence: The UAE faced a very big attack in the air in recent weeks. Many missiles and drones were sent towards the country. The defence team had to act very fast to stop them. According to officials, they managed to destroy a huge number of threats before they could hit anything important.
“The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed intercepting 345 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,773 drones since late February 2026.” This shows how serious the situation was. It was not just one type of attack, but many kinds happening together.
To stop all this, the UAE did not depend on just one system. They used many layers of defence working together at the same time. Each layer had its own job and covered a different height in the sky.
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Different Defence Layers
THAAD
The first and highest shield is called THAAD. “The Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system operates as the UAE’s outermost layer of protection against incoming threats.” This system hits missiles very high in the sky before they come closer to Earth. It mostly targets short and medium range ballistic missiles in their last stage of flight.
If something gets past THAAD, then the next system takes over. “For threats that bypass the outer shield, the UAE relies on American-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) batteries.” This system works in the middle level and can destroy missiles, planes, and cruise missiles.
Cheongung-II
There is also a newer system added from South Korea. “The UAE recently integrated South Korea’s Cheongung-II (M-SAM) system to further fortify its mid-range interception capabilities.” This system already proved itself in real combat. “In March 2026, this advanced system recorded its first-ever combat interception of an Iranian ballistic missile outside South Korea.”
Pantsir-S1
Closer to the ground, another system protects important places. “To counter low-flying threats, the UAE deploys the Russian-made Pantsir-S1 point defence system across critical infrastructure.” This one is useful against drones and low flying missiles that try to avoid radar.
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Fighting Drone Swarms
Drone attacks have become very common, so the UAE is also preparing for that. “Facing massive drone swarms, the UAE is acquiring the Coyote Block 2 interceptor system through a USD 2.1 billion deal.” This system is made to stop many small drones flying together before they reach targets like oil sites.
All these defence systems need strong eyes in the sky to work properly. That job is done by a special aircraft. “These defensive interceptors rely on the Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft to track incoming threats.” This plane can see threats from very far away and guide the defence systems quickly.
