UAE Armed Forces
UAE military, now recording combat dead from Iranian strikes for the first time.
Last refreshed: 4 April 2026
How many Iranian missiles has the UAE intercepted since February?
Latest on UAE Armed Forces
- How many Iranian missiles has the UAE shot down?
- As of 3 April 2026 the UAE Armed Forces had intercepted 475 Ballistic Missiles, 23 Cruise Missiles, and 2,085 drones cumulatively since late February.Source: UAE Ministry of Defence
- Has the UAE suffered casualties in the Iran conflict?
- Yes. Two UAE soldiers were killed on 3 April 2026, the first confirmed combat deaths recorded by the UAE Armed Forces in the current conflict.Source: UAE Ministry of Defence
- What happened at Habshan after the Iranian strikes on 3 April?
- Debris from intercepted missiles struck the Habshan gas facility for a second time, killing one Egyptian national and forcing a full suspension of operations.Source: UAE Ministry of Defence
- What air defence systems does the UAE use against Iran?
- The UAE operates a layered network including Patriot and THAAD systems procured from the United States.Source: Jane's Defence
Background
The UAE Armed Forces recorded their first combat fatalities of the Iran conflict on 3 April 2026, when two soldiers were killed during Iranian Ballistic missile and drone strikes. On that day alone, the military intercepted 18 Ballistic Missiles, 4 Cruise Missiles, and 47 drones. Debris from the intercepts struck the Habshan gas facility, forcing a full suspension of operations.
The UAE Armed Forces are the combined military of the United Arab Emirates, comprising land, air, naval, and strategic missile defence components. Since Iran expanded strikes to Gulf States in late February 2026, UAE air defences have intercepted cumulative totals of 475 Ballistic Missiles, 23 Cruise Missiles, and 2,085 drones. The Patriot and THAAD systems procured from the United States form the backbone of this layered defence network.
The UAE occupies a pivotal position in the conflict: it hosts major US and Western military assets, including Al Dhafra Air Base, while maintaining diplomatic channels with Iran. The first KIA marks a threshold shift, increasing domestic pressure on Abu Dhabi to respond more assertively or seek a diplomatic off-ramp before civilian casualties follow.
