Can India Protect the UAE from Iran’s Drone Attacks?

Iranian drone attacks on the Barakah nuclear facility have revealed growing weaknesses in the UAE’s air defence systems even after heavy investment in advanced technology. The country has deployed Western platforms such as Patriot PAC‑3, THAAD, and NASAMS, but these interceptors are built to counter high‑altitude ballistic and cruise missiles. They often struggle against slow‑moving, low‑altitude drones with minimal radar signatures. Swarm tactics and nap‑of‑the‑earth flying further saturate defences, making it economically unsustainable to fire million‑dollar missiles at cheap Iranian UAVs.

Iran has steadily enhanced its drone fleet with improved navigation, swarm coordination, and terrain‑masking capabilities, enabling precise strikes on critical infrastructure including power grids, oil facilities, and now the Arab world’s only nuclear plant. India, a close UAE ally, offers practical counter‑drone solutions with battle‑tested systems such as lasers, jammers, guns, and mobile platforms. Stronger India‑UAE defence cooperation could help close these gaps, protecting strategic assets while avoiding escalation.