UAE defense strategy in a changing security environment

20 July 2026

IntelligenceNote

Summary

Although renewed U.S.-Iran military confrontations have heightened regional tensions, they have

remained below the threshold of large-scale conflict, allowing Gulf states, including the UAE, to maintain their strategic focus on long-term capability development, force modernization, and sustained defense planning.

The following note sheds light on:

Emirati strategic shift toward long-term defense planning
Emirati procurement governance and industrial policy

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UAE defense strategy in a changing security environment

Summary

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