The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which already possesses the most advanced missile defense system in the Gulf region, is pushing to develop more missile and drone defense capabilities to meet current and future aerial threats.

The UAE already has a suite of sophisticated missile systems that were developed in the United States. It was the first country outside the United States to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system and the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to deploy Patriot PAC-3 missiles.

In December 2011, the United States and UAE reached an arms deal so the Gulf country could purchase two THAAD systems.

It has since added to that arsenal: most recently, the US State Department approved a possible sale to the UAE in August 2022 of two more THAAD control stations and 96 more missile rounds.

THAAD systems can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight. THAAD is designed to protect against short-, medium- or intermediate-range ballistic missiles, from 1,000 to 5,000km.

For further defense, the UAE deploys a mix of Patriot GEM-T and PAC-3 missiles. The Patriot missile defense system can detect, track and engage unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and short-range or tactical ballistic missiles.

Patriot missiles are designed to explode near incoming missiles to disrupt their flight.

The GEM-T and PAC-3 variants upgraded previous versions to be more sensitive and effective.

The UAE also has MIM-23 Hawks to counter low and medium altitude aircraft or missiles. For sensing and situational awareness, it has Army Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2) -- a portable system that provides high-resolution array radar.

Monitoring and protecting airspace

As autonomous warfare becomes more widespread, the UAE is investing in drones, robots and other unmanned weaponry in response.

The UAE employs SkyDome to counter unmanned aircraft. The anti-drone system, developed by US-based Fortem Technologies, uses radar guidance and physical tracking to monitor and hunt drones.

The autonomous, fully integrated system can protect airspace day or night and in adverse weather, according to Fortem.

If a threat is detected, those using the system can send out a "Drone Hunter" interceptor. It launches from a hangar and goes toward the target while other units are deployed as backup.

The interceptor can take down drones of any weight, up to 600kg.

The UAE is also interested in the Skylock counter-drone system, which has already been tested in the country. Skylock is owned by Israeli company Avnon.

Regional missile defense shield

Growing regional tensions threaten security within the UAE and other GCC states.

At the May 2015 Camp David summit, then-US President Barack Obama and heads of delegations of the GCC renewed their commitment to to working together on common threats and on regional crises.

The GCC member states committed to develop a region-wide ballistic missile defense capability, including radar and early warning systems.

Following that meeting, member states Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE announced in January 2016 that they were working on developing a joint missile defense shield.

GCC officials said the missile defense shield would be a way to create a cross-border approach to counter Iran's growing missile capabilities.