The UAE has encountered difficulties in using Ukrainian interceptor drones

It is noted that several Ukrainian interceptor drones, including the P1-SUN model from SkyFall, were recently tested and delivered in large quantities to Gulf countries. During the tests, it became clear that these systems are not particularly well-suited to the UAE’s command and control architecture, as they were originally designed for the war in Ukraine.

According to UAE military officials, several operators had to wait for visual confirmation of a threat before launching their interceptor drones. The lack of proper coordination tools and applications for creating data fusion chains means that operators located around large urban areas continue to launch their interceptors simultaneously, without any real prioritization of targets or centralized coordination of their actions. This leads to excessive strain on the systems.

The publication noted that in Ukraine, interceptor drones are part of a system that combines low-altitude radars, acoustic sensors, passive electronic warfare capabilities, and data fusion tools. The Gulf states have not yet been able to achieve this level of coordination among various systems.

Several European manufacturers told journalists that the detection systems possessed by the Gulf states are unsuitable for slow-moving targets flying at very low altitudes. The low radar signature of Iran’s “Shaheds” makes them difficult to detect.

For example, France has deployed Thales Ground Master 200 and Ground Master 400 radars at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, which are integrated into the country’s air surveillance architecture. However, these are designed for traditional air defense and are not suitable for continuous detection of drones with low radar signature.

The UAE also uses AN/MPQ-65 radars, which form the backbone of Patriot PAC-3 batteries, and AN/TPY-2 radars, which are used with the THAAD system. These were designed to counter ballistic missiles or high-speed targets flying at high altitudes.

The publication added that France recently deployed several other mobile systems to the region to enhance low-altitude coverage around infrastructure sites, including Saab-manufactured Giraffe AMB radars. Sources speaking to journalists noted that these systems are ill-suited for countering low-flying Iranian drones.

The UAE wants to learn from Ukraine’s experience in countering Iranian drones

In addition, the publication noted that another problem for the Gulf states is that civilian aviation can still operate in their airspace. This makes it harder to identify the real threat, and the risk of striking the same target multiple times increases.

The publication noted that the UAE also wants to adopt Ukraine’s experience in combating Iranian drones. The country’s authorities are actively seeking private contractors to train their units in new tactics for waging war using drones.
 

According to the publication’s sources, negotiations are currently underway with various organizations employing Ukrainian veterans or foreign fighters who served in specialized units in Ukraine. According to available data, specialists in training drone interceptor pilots are particularly in demand, as well as military engineers specializing in the tactical integration of counter-drone systems, coordination of operations at low altitudes, electronic warfare, and data fusion chains in command and communication systems.