The UAE Is Bolstering Its Formidable Air Defenses

Following the unprecedented missile and drone attacks targeting its capital Abu Dhabi this January, the United Arab Emirates has said it is looking into upgrading its defenses. It already has one of the most advanced and formidable air defense networks anywhere, consisting of several advanced systems. So, what other systems might it seek, or has it already sought, to further bolster the defense of its airspace? 

The UAE became the first country to use the U.S.-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in combat. An Emirati THAAD successfully intercepted a midrange ballistic missile targeting an oil facility near Abu Dhabi’s Al-Dhafra Air Base on Jan. 17. 

In the second attack, on Jan. 24, the U.S. military helped the UAE shoot down two more Houthi missiles targeting Al Dhafra “with multiple Patriot interceptors coincident to efforts by the armed forces of the UAE.” 

“The combined efforts successfully prevented both missiles from impacting the base,” said the chief spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command. 

The Jan. 17 attack, which also used drones and reportedly cruise missiles, killed three civilians, and wounded six more, was unprecedented and another striking reminder of the threat non-state actors can pose with such weaponry. 

Both attacks also served as a reminder that the UAE possesses arguably the most advanced air defenses systems in the region, except for Israel. 

“Our ability to intercept and deflect these attacks is world class,” said Lana Nusseibeh, the Emirati envoy to the United Nations. “There can always be upgrades and improvements… and additional intelligence cooperation and I think these are the fields we’re looking at with our (U.S.) partners.” 

The UAE air defense capabilities are indeed “world class.” Abu Dhabi boasts highly formidable medium to high-altitude air defense systems. In addition to THAAD, it operates MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 systems and Russian-built medium-range Pantsir-S1s, the latter of which are highly capable systems for point defense. 

Not only do these systems provide a multi-layered defense of the entirety of the UAE’s airspace, they are also reportedly tasked with helping defend the airspaces of neighboring allied states. Not at all unimpressive for such a small country. 

The UAE seeks to further strengthen its already impressive array of air defenses with additional systems.

The day before the unprecedented Jan. 17 attack on Abu Dhabi, Emirati Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Dubai and signed a $3.5 billion contract for South Korean-built Cheongung II KM-SAM air defense systems. It’s the biggest arms deal in South Korean history, and the UAE will be the first foreign country to operate the new mid-range system. 

When the UAE Ministry of Defense first announced its intention to purchase the KM-SAM in November, it said it would be a “qualitative addition” to its existing air defenses. 

The KM-SAM was developed with technical assistance from Russia and uses technology based on the 9M96 missile used in the Russian S-400 and S-350E systems. 

One article reasonably speculated that the UAE bought the KM-SAM in addition to its existing systems to fill “a ‘lower-tier’ gap that can’t be handled by Patriots and where THAAD is not effective.” 

In other words, the South Korean system will make the UAE’s already impressive multi-layered air defenses even denser and more capable of dealing with attacks from low-flying drones and cruise missiles that have proven capable of evading conventional radars. 

Abu Dhabi has also reportedly sought Israeli air defense systems following the Abu Dhabi attacks. Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020 and have enjoyed cordial relations ever since. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett promptly offered the UAE “security and intelligence support” following the Jan. 17 attack. Israel would undoubtedly sell its Arab ally air defense systems if it requested. 

An Israeli source suggested to Breaking Defense that the UAE may be interested in buying the Barak-8 or Barak ER by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
IAI
or the SPYDER by Rafael, or “a combination of the three” as an interim solution until its KM-SAMs are delivered and integrated into its air defenses. The Barak family of missile systems could prove a logical choice for plugging the UAE’s above-mentioned “lower-tier” gap in air defense against threats like Houthi cruise missiles and drones. 

Diversifying its procurement of air defenses is also a smart move, especially if the UAE is, like neighboring Saudi Arabia, subjected to routine drone and missile attacks. Saudi air defenses are overwhelmingly American. Earlier this month, it was reported that Riyadh could run out of Patriot missiles in “months” and has already requested help from neighbors to replenish its dwindling stocks. 

The UAE could well lend its neighbor and ally a helping hand on that front for the time being. Still, ultimately the United States will be needed to prevent Riyadh’s stockpile of interceptor missiles from becoming depleted, which could take many months even if a deal is fast-tracked. 

The dilemma Saudi Arabia presently finds itself could be a salutary reminder to Abu Dhabi of the importance of diversifying its procurement sources as a hedge against such shortages. In the long-term, the UAE may also be able to manufacture interceptor missiles of its own to lessen its dependency on foreign suppliers. The South Korean missile contract came along with a memorandum of understanding that includes the co-development of weapons systems. The UAE’s domestic arms industry has also made great strides in just a short few years.

The UAE is well aware that it has one of the best air defenses money can buy. However, it’s also well aware that these defenses need consistent upgrades, refinements, and additional acquisitions (which might also include technology transfers) to stay on top of the rapidly growing variety of threats it might have to counter.