What do we know about the UAE Air Force (UAEAF)?
The United Arab Emirates Air Force stands as the second most powerful air force in the Gulf region, trailing only Saudi Arabia. With 335 military aircraft, including 119 strike units, the UAE possesses a distinct military capability, exhibiting effective and unique operational readiness in terms of both offensive power and maneuvers. Moreover, its operators are characterized by a high level of efficiency and training, the most competent among the Gulf countries. Moreover, the UAE Air Force commands some of the most sophisticated fourth-generation fighter jets globally.
Historical Background:
In 1968, British forces withdrew from the Arabian Gulf region, leaving behind a security and military vacuum. In response, a coalition of emirates along the Arabian coast—then known as al-Welayaat al-Mutasaleha (the Trucial States)—sought to establish a national military force to safeguard their territories and interests. Initially, the Trucial Oman Levies (TOL)/Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS) and Trucial Emirates Force were formed. These eventually evolved into what is now the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces (UAEAF).
Starting in 1971, with assistance from Britain, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan spearheaded efforts to unify the emirates to ensure the security and stability of the Gulf. This led to the formation of the United Arab Emirates later that year, bringing seven emirates under a single federal government.
A year after unification, the air force of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was officially renamed the ‘United Arab Emirates Air Force’, replacing the ‘Air Wing’ that had been established during the unofficial British protectorate over the Trucial States Coast.
In 1999, the air forces of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the emirate of Dubai were merged to create a unified UAE Air Force (UAEAF). Currently, it is based in two command headquarters: the Western Command Headquarters in Abu Dhabi and the Central Command Headquarters in Dubai. This dual-command structure provides a degree of operational independence (Yates, 2020).
Military Capabilities:
The UAE Air Force ranks 32nd globally out of 103 according to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), while the Saudi Air Force ranks 17th. This makes the UAE Air Force the second most powerful in the Gulf region. The UAE possesses 335 military aircraft, comprising 119 strike units, 59 support units, and 157 training units, with 168 of these units in a state of full readiness. In comparison, Saudi Arabia’s air force boasts a significantly larger fleet of 702 aircrafts. compared to Saudi Arabia’s 702 aircraft.
Attack Aircraft come at the forefront of the UAE’s air arsenal, with 55 F-16E fighters acquired in 2004 and upgraded in 2017 with the latest computer processors and Northrop Grumman APG-80 AESA radar systems. According to Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, these enhancements make the UAEAF’s fleet among the most advanced fourth-generation fighters in the world.
The UAE Air Force’s arsenal includes 44 French-made Mirage 2000/EAD/RAD fighters. These are fourth-generation combat aircraft known for their maneuverability and precision strike capabilities against both aerial and ground targets. As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, the UAE is in the process of replacing these with 80 of the latest Rafale F4 fighters, in a deal estimated to be worth around €17 billion. According to Dassault Aviation, the UAE Air Force is expected to receive them between 2027 and 2031. The UAE also operates 20 AT-802i aircrafts, which serve both civilian and military purposes. They are primarily for border monitoring and direct intervention operations in case of border breaches.
In January 2021, the United States approved a deal to supply UAE with 50 fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets and 18 MQ-4B drones. However, this deal has not been fully implemented due to U.S. requirements for a specific type of infrastructure. Seeking other alternatives, UAE considered purchasing fifth-generation aircraft from China, particularly J-20 fighters, though no agreements have been made yet.
The United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) operates a squadron of approximately 15 helicopters, ranging from light utility models such as the Bell 407 or H125M, medium-lift helicopters like the Bell 412, and special-use aircraft such as the Italian AW139, of which the Air Force has 8 units. These helicopters play a crucial role in border surveillance, troop transport to operational zones, and other strategic missions.
Additionally, the Air Force possesses 32 military transport aircraft and 3 refueling aircraft. The transport aircraft range from tactical ones used for transporting equipment and troops, such as the C-130H/L-100 (8 aircraft), or CN-235 (9 aircraft), to dual tactical and strategic use aircraft such as the C-17 (8 aircraft). There are also 7 light or special-use aircraft, such as the King Air 350 or P.180. Furthermore, the UAE Air Force operates 3 European-made KC-130 aircraft from Airbus, which are capable of in-flight refueling of fighter jets for long-range missions.
The UAE Air Force also possesses a substantial number of training aircraft, estimated at 157, ensuring continuous pilot development and operational readiness across its air divisions. These includes basic training aircraft like the Swiss-made PC-7 (31 aircraft) and the G115 (12 aircraft). For advanced training, the air force uses 25 PC-21 aircrafts. Additionally, there are combat training aircrafts such as the F-16F (21 aircrafts), M2000-9D/DAD (15 aircrafts), Hawk 102 (12 aircrafts), and MB.339 (12 aircrafts). Similarly, the Air Force employs training aircraft for its helicopter squadrons, such as the Bell 407 (13 aircrafts) and H125M (1 aircraft).
Special-use aircraft, totaling 9, including the MPA-08 and Challenger 650, primarily tasked with maritime border surveillance in the Gulf. Furthermore, it has acquired 3 GlobalEye multi-domain Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft capable of air, land, and sea surveillance. They are equipped with sophisticated sensors and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, with two additional units expected.
Human and Financial Resources
The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces comprise an estimated 65,000 active personnel, with approximately 4,000 to 5,000 personnel, both civilian and military, serving in the Air Force. Pakistani trainers constitute a significant portion of the civilian contractors within the UAE Air Force. The UAE Air Force is spread across eight air bases and military airfields, of which Abu Dhabi acquires the lion’s share, hosting seven bases and airfields (Al Dhafra, Al Bateen, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Al Suweihan), and two in Al Ain which has one military base and airfield. In Dubai, the Al Minhad Air Base serves as the primary training center for the UAE Air Force and is also an international military hub, accommodating military personnel from various countries.
According to a report by the International Trade Administration (ITA), the UAE ranks sixth globally in military spending, allocating 5.6% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense. In 2024, the UAE’s military expenditure was approximately $25 billion. Between 2010 and 2019, the UAE spent 15-16% of its defense budget on purchasing advanced military equipment, primarily from the United States and European allies, with the UAE Air Force receiving the lion’s share of these annual acquisitions.
Wars and External Operations:
The United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) launched its first major combat operation in 1991 during the Second Gulf War, specifically targeting the presence of Iraqi forces on Kuwaiti territory, and coordinated with the international coalition to strike Iraqi forces and force them to withdraw.
Since 2014, the UAE Air Force has significantly expanded its participation in operations, including the intensive bombing of ISIS (Daesh) in Syria and Iraq as part of the international coalition. In addition, the UAEAF took part in joint operations with Egyptian forces against ISIS presence in eastern Libya. In 2015, the UAE joined Saudi-led forces in Asefat al-Hazm (Operation Decisive Storm), primarily targeting the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement, which had seized control of Sana’a. The UAE Air Force bombed Houthi targets and weapon facilities in Sana’a and Marib, and provided air cover for government forces in southern Yemen, particularly in Hadramaut and Aden.
In 2019, the UAE Air Force provided air support to military groups affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which had declared independence from the government of Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi after bombing government forces and expelling them from Aden.
Suggested references:
Yates, Athol (2020). The Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. Warwick: Helion & Company.
