UAE intercepts 27 drones and 7 ballistic missiles in single day — cumulative total: 285 ballistic missiles, 1,567 drones since Feb 28

UAE air defences intercepted 27 drones and 7 ballistic missiles on Day 14 of the conflict, the UAE Defence Ministry announced on Friday. The ministry's cumulative count since the war began on February 28 now stands at 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,567 drones directed at UAE territory — an average of approximately 114 aerial threats per day. The UAE hosts several strategically critical assets: Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi hosts US Air Force F-35s, F-22s, B-52s, and other aircraft involved in the campaign; Fujairah port on the Gulf of Oman is a key oil export terminal operating outside the Strait of Hormuz (its capacity has surged as Hormuz traffic was restricted). Iran releasing satellite imagery comparing before-and-after conditions at Al Dhafra alongside Al Udeid and Prince Sultan demonstrates Iran's specific targeting intent against the UAE's hosting of US air power. Despite the volume, UAE intercept rates have been consistently high, suggesting robust layered air defense — a combination of THAAD, Patriot PAC-3, and shorter-range systems. The 1,567-drone total across 14 days — averaging 112 drones/day — reflects Iran's sustained use of one-way attack drones as a volume threat against Gulf states.