The United States will work with the UAE to improve the Gulf country’s air defense system, a top US military commander told the official Emirates News Agency on Monday, February 8.
The system has already been very effective at thwarting recent missile attacks on the country, the report quoted General Kenneth F McKenzie, Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), as saying.
The general, on an official visit to the UAE, added that the US was working with it and other regional and global partners to develop more effective solutions to stop drone attacks, even before they are launched.
McKenzie was quoted by WAM as saying on Monday: “We are happy to see that THAAD [the US-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system] employed successfully by UAE in the first two combat employments of that system. So, that’s been very good, and I know that it sends a strong message of reassurance to everyone in UAE.”
He added: “We will continue to work with UAE to make that system even better in the future.”
This comes amid recent attacks on the UAE by Houthi rebels from Yemen, which have prompted global condemnation.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in January that its air defense forces had intercepted and destroyed missiles launched by the Houthi terrorist group.
On February 2, the ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed three “hostile” drones that penetrated the UAE’s airspace.
The US has condemned such attacks, and more recently, Washington promised to chip in with some help.
Tackling drone attacks
McKenzie, who oversees the US forces in the Middle East, said, “We are working with our partners here in the region and with the industry back in the United States to develop solutions that would work against drones. We would like to work against drones what we call ‘Left of Launch,’ [which means] before they can be launched.”
Such a system would apparently be able to detect the launch of drones, see them, and disrupt their flight.
“And if you can’t do that, you will certainly be able to shoot them down as they reach their intended target,” he explained.
“In all of those areas we’re working with our friends internationally as well as with industries in the United States to become more effective at that.”
US military support
The general also said: “Even as the UAE has come under attack, the United States has moved quickly and swiftly to help an old friend. We brought a destroyer in a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Cole, which has ballistic missile defense capabilities.”
He added: “It will patrol the waters of the UAE, working closely with UAE air defenders to protect their nation.”
McKenzie also said: “And then additionally, over the next week or so, we’re going to bring in a squadron of F-22 fighter jets, the best air superiority fighters in the world. They will also work with their UAE partners to help defend the nation. So, we think this is just one friend helping another in a time of crisis.”