By Staff Reporter
Abu Dhabi — The United Arab Emirates has underscored a shift in modern military thinking, asserting that resilience, not sheer firepower, is the true measure of national strength following a sustained 40-day period of heightened threat.
Brigadier Pilot Abdulnasser Al Hammadi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, said the country’s armed forces demonstrated uninterrupted readiness and operational efficiency during a wave of attacks involving hundreds of missiles and drones. Speaking on the “Aan Podcast” with Fahad Heikal, he emphasized that the UAE’s defence posture is built on continuous preparedness rather than reactive measures.
According to Al Hammadi, the military operates around the clock in both peace and conflict, allowing air defence systems to respond instantly to emerging threats. Despite the sudden escalation, the UAE’s defence network intercepted the vast majority of incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, limiting damage largely to debris from destroyed targets.
He described the scale and intensity of the attacks as unprecedented, noting that while similar threats have occurred in the past, the volume witnessed in recent weeks marked a significant escalation. Yet what distinguished the UAE’s response was not only its immediate effectiveness, but its ability to sustain high-level performance without decline over an extended period.
“Our systems maintained full efficiency for 40 consecutive days,” Al Hammadi said, expressing confidence that the same level of readiness could be sustained if such conditions persisted.
Central to this capability is a layered and integrated defence architecture designed to operate across multiple domains. The system can detect and intercept threats at varying altitudes and ranges, from low-flying drones to high-speed ballistic missiles beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. This flexibility allows for tailored responses to evolving and complex threats.
Al Hammadi highlighted that modern military strength is increasingly defined by defensive resilience, institutional continuity, and societal stability. During the period of attacks, government functions continued uninterrupted and daily life across the UAE remained largely unaffected.
“Society continued to live normally,” he said, pointing to this stability as evidence of a robust national defence ecosystem.
He also credited leadership presence and public support as key factors in maintaining morale among armed forces personnel. Coordination between military, security, and civilian institutions proved essential, reinforcing the importance of integrated national response frameworks.
The UAE’s growing domestic defence industry also played a critical role. Locally developed technologies and production capabilities enabled rapid reinforcement of military operations, reducing reliance on external supply chains during a time of global uncertainty.
Addressing emerging threats, Al Hammadi noted the increasing complexity posed by drone warfare. In response, the UAE has developed advanced detection and interception systems that combine ground-based defences with aerial capabilities to neutralize such risks effectively.
He further explained that environmental factors such as weather and visibility did not hinder operations, thanks to advanced technologies capable of functioning under all conditions.
Artificial intelligence has become a vital component of this system, enhancing decision-making by rapidly analyzing data and recommending optimal responses. However, Al Hammadi stressed that human expertise remains central, praising Emirati soldiers for their discipline, training, and operational excellence.
Reflecting on the experience, he said the past weeks reinforced the importance of long-term investment, strategic planning, and adaptability. The current level of capability, he noted, is the result of decades of development and must be sustained through continuous innovation and coordination.
“The strength we demonstrated is not accidental,” he said. “It is built on preparation, resilience, and the ability to adapt to whatever comes next.”
