UAE air defences neutralise over 20 Iranian missiles and drones

On March 9, 2026, the United Arab Emirates’ air defence systems detected 15 ballistic missiles and 18 drones, the UAE Ministry of Defence said on X.

Twelve missiles and 17 drones were successfully intercepted, while three missiles fell into the sea and one drone landed on UAE territory. 

الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع 12 صاروخ باليستي و 17 طائرة مسيرة.

رصدت الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية اليوم (9 مارس 2026) 15 صاروخ باليستي حيث تم تدمير 12 صاروخ باليستي، فيما سقطت 3 صواريخ باليستية في البحر. كما تم رصد 18 طائرة مسيرة، حيث تم اعتراض 17 طائرة مسيرة، بينما سقطت 1… pic.twitter.com/uCvVtc3kvg

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 9, 2026

Since the beginning of Iranian attacks, 253 ballistic missiles have been detected (233 destroyed, 18 fell into the sea, 2 on UAE territory) and 1,440 drones (1,359 intercepted, 81 fell to the ground), with eight cruise missiles also destroyed.

The attacks have killed four people—citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh—and left 117 with minor injuries, including nationals from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, and Palestine.

The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed its readiness to confront any threats, maintain national security, and protect the country’s sovereignty, national interests, and resources.

By Jeyhun Aghazada