UAE Air Defense Intercepts 26 Iranian Projectiles as Ministry Reaffirms National Security

ABU DHABI, March 26, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence announced today that its national air defense systems successfully intercepted and neutralized a significant wave of aerial threats launched from Iran.

In a high-stakes engagement, the UAE forces dealth with 15 ballistic missiles and 11 unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) targeting the country. This latest operation underscores the continued high state of readiness maintained by the UAE military to protect its sovereign territory and citizens from external aggression.

Since the beginning of these hostile escalations, the UAE’s sophisticated defense network has intercepted a total of 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,826 drones. While the majority of these threats have been neutralized, the Ministry shared a somber update on the human toll of these repeated attacks.

To date, the conflict has resulted in the martyrdom of two UAE Armed Forces members in the line of duty, alongside the death of one Moroccan civilian contractor and eight other civilians of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities.

Additionally, 169 individuals from over 30 different nationalities—including Emiratis, Egyptians, Sudanese, and others—have sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.In an official statement, the Ministry of Defence emphasized its unwavering commitment to national stability, asserting that it remains on high alert to respond firmly to any threats that seek to undermine the state’s security.

The Ministry reaffirmed that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, its people, and its strategic assets.

By maintaining a posture of total preparedness, the UAE aims to ensure continued peace and the protection of its diverse international community against further destabilization.