The United Arab Emirates has started domestic production of a low-cost anti-drone interceptor named "Guardian." This initiative represents a shift by Gulf countries towards local production and the use of numerous low-cost systems in response to the increase in drone attacks.
Production of the "Guardian" Interceptor and Its Capabilities
This factory, operated by an Emirati contractor on behalf of an American company, currently produces about 30 "Guardian" interceptors daily, with plans to increase capacity to 100 units per day. The price of each unit is reported to be around $5,000. This initiative has emerged due to the high costs of countering low-cost drones and the need for systems that can effectively address these threats.
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In recent conflicts, the UAE has targeted over 500 ballistic missiles and 2,200 drones, relying on systems like the Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD to counter aerial threats. Each of these systems costs millions of dollars, making their use economically impractical for shooting down low-cost drones.
Expansion of Cooperation in the Defense Industry
The "Guardian" system has been designed to fill this gap. It is based on a Ukrainian design and utilizes 3D-printed parts, off-the-shelf microchips, and GPS modules. Its operational range is about 15 kilometers, and its flight endurance is 28 minutes. However, the "Guardian" is not a replacement for advanced air defense systems and does not have the capability to intercept ballistic missiles; rather, it will serve as a cheaper layer to counter small drones.
This approach is similarly expanding in other countries in the region. The American company Raytheon is producing "Coyote" interceptors in the UAE. Saudi Arabia is also working with an American company to establish a production line for the "SKYWASP" attack drone near Riyadh. This drone is inspired by Iran's Shahed-136 drone and has a reported range of about 1,500 kilometers. Additionally, Kuwait is in the process of purchasing a range of anti-drone systems.
Outlook for the Gulf Defense Industry
Alongside the United States, other countries such as Ukraine and the United Kingdom are also increasing their presence in the Gulf defense market. Countries in this region have signed new contracts and collaborations in the fields of drones and air defense with these nations in recent months. Their goal is to increase the number of suppliers and reduce the risk of dependency on a single source.
However, this trend does not necessarily mean a reduction in American influence. In many new projects, Gulf countries are establishing production and assembly capabilities domestically, but design, engineering, software, components, and export licenses remain with American companies and the U.S. government.
The American manufacturing company also plans to expand its production network. The company has stated that its affiliated factories currently produce about 3,000 interceptors per month and aim to increase this capacity to 15,000 units per month by mid-2027. This development reflects the efforts of Gulf countries to shape a new model in the field of unmanned weapons that includes producing part of the systems domestically and using multiple suppliers to meet defense needs.
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