UAE air defences neutralise 15 missiles, 119 drones in latest Iranian aggression
Ministry of Defence pledges readiness to protect the country’s sovereignty
ABU DHABI – The UAE’s air defence systems successfully intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones today, as the nation faced ongoing attacks linked to Iranian aggression.
Defence authorities confirmed that one ballistic missile fell into the sea, while two drones landed within UAE territory.
The operations were part of a continued effort to maintain the country’s security and airspace integrity.
UAE air defences intercept 15 ballistic missiles, 119 UAVs
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 7, 2026
UAE air defence systems detected today, Saturday 7th March 2026, 16 ballistic missiles, of which, 15 were intercepted and destroyed, while one ballistic missile fell into the sea.
Air defence systems also detected 121… pic.twitter.com/Ylt57exFcl
Air defence operations
Since the onset of these hostilities, UAE systems have detected a total of 221 ballistic missiles. Out of these, 205 were destroyed, 14 fell into the sea, and two impacted UAE territory. In parallel, 1,305 Iranian drones have been identified, with 1,229 intercepted and 76 falling within UAE borders. Additionally, eight cruise missiles were detected and successfully neutralised.
Impact on civilians
These attacks have tragically resulted in three fatalities, involving Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi nationals. A further 112 individuals sustained minor injuries, affecting citizens from a wide array of countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, and Turkey.
UAE to counter any threats
The Ministry of Defence affirmed its continued state of readiness to counter any threats, stressing that it will firmly respond to any attempts to compromise national security. Authorities reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the UAE’s sovereignty, protecting its citizens, and defending national capabilities against aggression.