The UAE Turns to India for Advanced Missile Defense

The UAE has historically sourced its military hardware from the United States, France, and South Korea, but recent regional instability has exposed the limitations of traditional procurement. The closure of Dubai International Airport—which incurs losses of $1 million per minute—during a barrage of Iranian-linked drone and missile attacks underscored the urgency for a more resilient defensive posture. While the UAE foreign ministry has denied reports of paying $20 billion to halt the hostilities, the nation remains under pressure to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for over half of its energy exports.

India’s BrahMos missile has emerged as a primary candidate for this upgrade. Capable of reaching speeds of Mach 3.0, the system generates nine times the kinetic energy of subsonic counterparts like the American Tomahawk at a fraction of the cost. Performance data from the strike on Nur Khan Airbase, where missiles evaded radar by flying at 10 meters, solidified its reputation for precision. To manage this firepower, the UAE is eyeing the Akashteer system developed by Bharat Electronics Limited. This command-and-control brain would integrate existing US-made THAAD and Patriot assets into a more responsive network.

This potential deal reflects India’s rapid evolution from the world's largest arms importer to a global supplier. With defense exports surging from Rs 686 crore in 2014-15 to a record Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26, India is increasingly positioning its indigenous technology as the preferred choice for nations seeking cost-effective, high-performance alternatives to Western platforms.