Iran conflict 2026: Attacks up against UAE as European countries weigh input

A UK Rapid Sentry air defence system, seen in the UK on 18 March 2024, of the kind sent to Kuwait in March 2026. (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on social media on 31 March that it had engaged eight Iranian ballistic missiles, 36 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and four cruise missiles fired that day. This follows 11 ballistic missiles engaged on 30 March, 16 on 29 March, and 20 on 28 March, an increased tempo of attacks compared to the preceding seven days.

The 31 March attack brought the total number of ballistic missiles, UAVs, and cruise missiles engaged since 28 February to 433, 1977, and 19 respectively, the MoD added.

Qatar's MoD said on social media on 1 April that it had intercepted two of three cruise missiles launched from Iran. It added that the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to Qatar Energy in Qatar's territorial waters.

The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) said on social media on 1 April that it had intercepted and destroyed four missiles and 19 UAVs, bringing the total to 186 and 419 respectively.

Kuwait's MoD said on social media on 31 March that it had engaged five Iranian ballistic missiles and seven UAVs, bringing the total to 312 and 636 respectively.

In February 2025 the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) awarded Plexsys Interface Products a contract worth USD16.8 million to keep the E-3 fleet serviceable until 2029. This is intended to maintain the fleet until its replacement by the E-7 Wedgetail. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report in June 2025 that the E-7A Rapid Prototyping (E-7A RP) programme was expected to deliver initial operating capability (IOC) by December 2032.