US military will work with the UAE to counter drone attacks: CENTCOM chief
The US military commander for the West Asia region has revealed plans to boost the United Arab Emirates missile systems to fight neighboring countries.
The commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), who traveled to the Emirates following Yemen’s defense forces retaliatory attacks against neighboring UAE’s sensitive spots, said on Monday that American forces were working on the Arab state to develop its counter-drone systems.
“We are working with our partners here in the region and with the industry back in the United States to develop solutions that would work against drones,” Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie told UAE state news agency WAM in an interview. “We would like to work against drones what we call ‘Left of Launch,’ [meaning] before they can be launched.”
“And if you can’t do that, you will certainly be able to shoot them down as they reach their intended target,” the marine commander said.
The UAE is already being supported with the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD); however, the new system would reportedly be more successful in detecting drone launches and disrupting their flight.
“Even as the UAE has come under attack, the United States has moved quickly and swiftly to help an old friend. We brought a destroyer in a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Cole, which has ballistic missile defense capabilities. It will patrol the waters of the UAE, working closely with UAE air defenders to protect their nation,” the top brass promised.
“And then additionally, over the next week or so, we’re going to bring in a squadron of F-22 fighter jets, the best air superiority fighters in the world. They will also work with their UAE partners to help defend the nation. So, we think this is just one friend helping another in a time of crisis,” he said.
McKenzie said shortly before landing in Abu Dhabi on Sunday that the UAE was "looking for support," claiming, "We're here to help them to provide that support."
The UAE is Saudi Arabia's close ally in its 7-year war on its southern neighbor, Yemen.
The Saudi-led military campaign, which has killed hundreds of thousands of Yemeni people resulting in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, has been carried out by weapons, munitions, equipment, and logistics support provided by the Americans and their western allies.
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