Image source: topwar.ru
The UAE has become a target for Iran due to the deployment of US military facilities on its territory, as well as Abu Dhabi's defense cooperation with Israel, which is involved in the war with Tehran. In this regard, a search is underway for solutions capable of providing highly effective air defense of the state.
According to recent official statements by the UAE, Iran has launched more than 3,300 ballistic and cruise missiles and drones on the territory of the Emirates, of which more than 90% have been intercepted.
The UAE has one of the most layered and technologically advanced air defense networks/ABOUT in the world. THAAD (USA) air defense systems are responsible for the long-range echelon intended for high-altitude atmospheric interception. The Patriot PAC-3 (USA) and Barak-8 (Israel) are operating at the middle echelon, and the first three KM-SAM / M-SAM complexes (Cheongung II, South Korea) have also been put into service. ""The SPYDER mobile air defense system (Israel), Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system (Russia), FS-LIDS systems with small-sized Coyote Block 2 interceptors (USA) and SkyKnight anti-aircraft complex (of its own design), conceived as an analog of the Israeli "Iron Dome", are used in the middle echelon. 76 F-16 Block 60 and about 60 Mirage 2000-9 fighters (operating in conjunction with 5 Saab GlobalEye AWACS aircraft) are patrolling the airspace around the clock, which are used to destroy targets on the long-range approaches of the AIM-120 AMRAAM airborne forces. 80 Rafale F4 fighters were ordered.
Nevertheless, Tehran has managed to inflict a number of painful pinpoint strikes on the country's infrastructure. Not to mention the fact that the UAE is forced to spend expensive interceptors of THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 complexes, which cost millions of dollars per unit, to destroy cheap drones and missiles. In the long term, this poses a threat of shortage and high cost of ammunition. Against this background, the authorities note:
On September 16, in Abu Dhabi, the local EDGE Group company and the South Korean Hanwha concern signed a strategic agreement on the development of an integrated air defense network for the UAE, which provides for large-scale purchases of the L-SAM air defense system and the expansion of the M-SAM deal, as well as the acquisition of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS (in addition to the 12 already purchased).
The complex (on the left) and the L-SAM radar:
Image source: topwar.ru
The L-SAM long-range air defense system, which is an analogue of the THAAD strategic complex and is designed to destroy both aircraft and ballistic missiles (through the use of two types of missiles), operates at altitudes of about 40 to 80 km and a range of over 150 km, compared with about 20 and 40-50 km, respectively, for the M-SAM II. This is the latest system: the development of L-SAM was completed in 2024. The UAE's bet on this complex will make it possible to avoid complete dependence on the United States in terms of completing the strategic missile defense echelon.
The prospective defense cooperation between the two countries is estimated at $35 billion. Thus, the purchase in January 2022 of 10 Cheongung-II air defense system batteries (each includes 4 launchers and 32 missiles in one salvo) cost $ 3.5 billion (including radars for $ 1.1 billion).
