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'We are in safe hands': UK helps defend UAE amid ongoing Iran missile, drone attacks
Group Captain Sandy Sandilands, UK Defence Attaché to the UAE, said the aircraft were deployed to support the Emirates' existing defensive systems
- PUBLISHED: Tue 10 Mar 2026, 11:33 AM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
The British Embassy in the UAE revealed that the UK military aircfraft operated over the country, working alongside Emirati forces to bolster air defences amid heightened regional tensions.
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In a video posted on Instagram, group captain Sandy Sandilands, UK Defence Attaché to the UAE, said the aircraft were deployed to support the UAE's existing defensive systems.
According to Sandilands, the aircraft carried out a defensive counter-air role, adding extra capacity to the country's air defence network while operating alongside Emirati forces and French aircraft permanently stationed in the UAE.
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The deployment, he explained, required "careful planning and coordination" between teams in the region and in the UK.
"We are in safe hands," he said, praising the technical expertise of Emirati officers he has worked with in recent days.
"Over the past few days, I've watched UK specialists in counter-drone systems share their experience with Emirati air defence teams. What struck me most was the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise of those Emirati officers — the results we've already seen," he noted.
Check out the video below:
Despite the new deployment, Sandilands noted that the UK military continues to support operations in multiple regions, including Ukraine, Cyprus, and across the wider Gulf.
The announcement comes as the region faces ongoing Iranian attacks, with the UAE strengthening its defensive posture as tension escalates.
Sandilands also referred to a recent message from Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, who was visiting the UAE. He noted that Alghren, the UK dedence's senior advisor in the Middle East, has been working across the region while teams in the UK assess what further support could be provided to allies if needed.
He added that the defence cooperation between the UK and the UAE runs deep, stretching back to the founding years of the Emirates. "The UK and the UAE armed forces share a deep and long-standing partnership, one that stretches back to the very founding of this nation. Later this year, we look forward to celebrating 50 years of the UAE Armed Forces together."
