UAE Deflects 1,000+ Attacks: Ambassador Credits Strategy, Not Luck

The UAE Ambassador to India has revealed the country faced over 1,000 missile and drone attacks but maintained complete normalcy due to a pre-built defence architecture. He provided data showing a high interception rate of drones and ballistic missiles, attributing success to years of strategic investment. Beyond military defence, institutional readiness has kept all essential services, the financial sector, and tourism running without interruption for residents, including millions of Indians. The comments come amid severed UAE-Iran relations and ongoing regional tensions.

Key Points: UAE Resilience: How It Intercepted Over 1,000 Missiles & Drones

  • Intercepted 1,359 of 1,440 drones
  • Destroyed 233 of 253 ballistic missiles
  • Essential services and economy remain fully operational
  • Strategic food reserves cover 4-6 months
  • Over 4 million Indians continue life with confidence
3 min read

"Not sheer luck": UAE Ambassador highlights country's resilience amidst missile and drone attacks

UAE Ambassador to India details robust defence systems that intercepted over 1,350 drones and 230 missiles, ensuring normal life for millions.

"That is not sheer luck. This is a defence architecture built for exactly this. - Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali"

By Ayushi Agarwal, New Delhi, March 10

Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to India, highlighted a robust national security framework that has allowed the United Arab Emirates to maintain normalcy despite facing a significant number of missile and drone attacks.

Speaking with ANI, he said that the UAE faced over 1,000 missile and drone attacks, but its stability and normal life for residents remain unaffected, thanks to years of investment in defence capabilities and national infrastructure resilience.

The Ambassador provided specific data to illustrate the effectiveness of the UAE's defence systems, noting that the high interception rate is a result of a deliberately built architecture rather than "sheer luck."

"UAE's ability to maintain stability under these conditions only reflects years of investment when it comes to defence capabilities, institutional readiness, and national infrastructure resilience. And the numbers tell the story. So of 1,440 drones detected, 1,359 were intercepted. And out of 253 ballistic missiles, 233 were destroyed in the air. That is not sheer luck. This is a defence architecture built for exactly this," he told ANI.

Beyond military defence, the Ambassador emphasised "institutional readiness" that has kept the daily lives of residents, including over 4 million Indians, uninterrupted. Essential services such as energy, water, healthcare, and telecommunications have continued without failure.

Hotels, shopping centres, and tourist attractions remain fully operational. The financial sector remains resilient, with total assets exceeding 5.42 trillion dirhams. Strategic food reserves are currently positioned to cover 4 to 6 months of national demand.

"Essential services, including energy, water, healthcare, telecommunications, and food supply, have continued without interruption. Hotels, shopping centres, and tourism attractions remain open. I've been out and about the past couple of weeks or so. The banking sector remains sound with total assets exceeding 5.42 trillion dirhams. Strategic food reserves cover 4-6 months of demand, and all of this basically is not accidental. The UAE has built a national security framework designed precisely for scenarios like this," said Alshaali.

The UAE's national security framework has enabled millions of residents, including 4 million Indians, to continue daily life with confidence. "Because that framework has held, over 4 million Indians and millions of other residents in the UAE have been able to continue their daily lives with confidence," he added.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran have officially severed diplomatic relations following a major military escalation. This conflict was triggered by massive Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting Emirati territory, which Iran claims was in response to the presence of US military assets in the Gulf.

The UAE officially closed its embassy in Tehran and withdrew its ambassador on March 1, 2026, following unprovoked Iranian strikes on civilian infrastructure and Al Dhafra Air Base.

The comments come as Iranian missiles continue to pound the UAE.

UAE Ministry of Defence said earlier in the day in a post on X, "UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones."

Meanwhile, India has released advisories for Indians in the country.

"When you hear a warning alert, proceed immediately to a safe place and remain there until the warning alert has been lifted for your area. Do not attempt to go outside to take photograph/record videos," a part of the advisory dated March 8 read.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
My brother works in Dubai. He says life is almost normal there, just the occasional siren. It's a huge relief for our family. The UAE's preparedness has directly protected over 4 million Indians. Shukriya UAE for keeping our people safe. 🙏
D
David E
While the defence architecture is commendable, the article mentions severed diplomatic relations. This is a worrying escalation in the Gulf. Stability is good, but lasting peace through dialogue is what's needed. Hope cooler heads prevail soon.
A
Aditya G
The strategic food reserves for 4-6 months is a masterstroke. We in India talk about food security often. This is practical nation-building—protecting not just borders but the daily roti of every resident. Hats off to their planning.
S
Sarah B
It's a stark reminder of the volatile region our Indian diaspora lives and works in. Thankful for the robust advisory from our MEA. Everyone please follow it—no taking videos, just get to safety. Praying for peace and the safety of all.
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Karthik V
The Ambassador is right to correct the 'sheer luck' narrative. It's years of vision and spending. But let's also be honest, the presence of advanced US military tech and support likely plays a big role in that interception rate. It's a combined shield.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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