The decision to deploy the system came as the UAE faced repeated attacks from Iran during the conflict. Emirati defence officials said the country was among the most heavily targeted in the region.
In an interview with ANI, the UAE envoy to India stated that the country had experienced around 2,900 drone and missile attacks targeting both civilian and military infrastructure. While a majority of these threats were intercepted, some strikes hit key sites.
The deployment was ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Israeli officials said the system was sent along with several dozen Israel Defence Forces personnel to help safeguard critical infrastructure.
A senior Israeli official said this marked the first instance of Israel sending an Iron Dome battery to another country, with the UAE becoming the first nation outside Israel and the US to use the system. The deployed system reportedly intercepted dozens of incoming Iranian missiles.
Growing Israel UAE military coordination
The deployment reflects deepening military cooperation between Israel and the UAE following the Abraham Accords signed in 2020. Since the beginning of the conflict, both countries have coordinated closely on security and intelligence matters.
Israeli officials also indicated that the Israeli Air Force conducted strikes in southern Iran aimed at neutralising short-range missile threats targeting Gulf countries, including the UAE.
Political sensitivity and international support
The presence of Israeli personnel for the deployment of Iron Dome in the UAE is considered politically sensitive in the Gulf region. However, officials suggested that the scale of Iranian attacks has influenced public perception, with support viewed positively during the crisis.
The decision to deploy the system has also drawn scrutiny within Israel, given that it was shared while the country itself faced sustained attacks.
During the conflict, the UAE also received support from several allies, including the US, France, the UK, Italy and Australia, as reported by AFP.
Former UAE national security official Tareq al Otaiba said the United States and Israel had demonstrated strong support through military aid, intelligence sharing and diplomatic backing, according to Axios. A senior Emirati official said the support would not be forgotten, while another described the situation as a defining moment in identifying key allies.
About the Iron Dome system
The Iron Dome is a widely used and battle tested air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, with development beginning around 2007 and deployment starting in 2011. It was designed to counter short range rocket threats and has received support from the United States.
According to Rafael USA, the system has intercepted more than 5,000 projectiles since becoming operational and has a success rate exceeding 90 percent. It is capable of countering rockets, drones, cruise missiles, artillery and mortars.
The system uses radar to detect incoming threats and assess their trajectory. It determines whether a projectile is likely to strike a populated or strategic area. If identified as a threat, it launches a Tamir interceptor missile to destroy the target mid air.
A defining feature of the system is its selective interception capability, which enables it to engage only those threats that pose a real risk, thereby reducing costs and conserving resources.
Key capabilities
The Iron Dome can function independently or as part of a broader air defence network. It has a range of 4 to 70 kilometres and operates continuously in all weather conditions, including low visibility environments. The system provides 360 degree coverage and can simultaneously engage multiple incoming threats during high intensity attacks.
It is also mobile, with variants such as the I Dome designed for rapid deployment to protect moving forces and critical assets. Each interceptor is estimated to cost between $40,000 and $60,000.
Shift in regional defence dynamics
The deployment of the Iron Dome in the UAE highlights a broader shift in regional security dynamics. It reflects increasing alignment between Israel and Gulf nations in response to shared threats and signals the potential for expanded military cooperation, including the cross border use of advanced defence technologies.
(With input from Agencies)
