As tensions escalate across the Middle East, a central question confronting observers is whether oil-rich Gulf countries that host US military bases can defend themselves against large-scale barrages of Iranian Shahed suicide drones and a mix of short-, medium- and long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles such as Shahab, Qiam-1, Emad, Khorramshahr and Sejjil.

To a considerable extent, they can — but with caveats.

The UAE’s ministry of defence today said it intercepted and destroyed 137 Iranian missiles and 209 drones on the first day of hostilities, underscoring the operational readiness of its layered air defence network. While such claims are difficult to independently verify during active conflict, Gulf states have spent heavily over the past decade to build multi-layered air shields designed to counter precisely such threats.

Military expenditure in the Middle East reached an estimated $243 billion in 2024, up 15% from 2023 and 19% higher than in 2015, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Four of the world’s top 10 arms importers in 2020–24 were Middle East countries  — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait. The US accounted for 52% of arms imports to the region, followed by Italy, France and Germany.

By contrast, Iran’s military spending fell 10% in real terms to $7.9 billion in 2024, constrained by sanctions, even as it continued to invest heavily in missile and drone capabilities — asymmetric tools that offer high strategic value at lower cost.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia remains the region’s largest military spender at roughly $80 billion in 2024. Its air defence network includes US-made Patriot PAC-3 batteries, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, upgraded Hawk systems, Skyguard guns, counter-drone assets and early warning radars.

With over 200 fighter and interceptor aircraft — including advanced F-15 variants — and airborne early warning (AWACS) platforms, Saudi Arabia fields one of the most sophisticated air defence systems in the region.

However, past Houthi drone and cruise missile strikes on oil infrastructure demonstrated that even advanced systems can be saturated or bypassed by low-flying, coordinated SWARM drone attacks.

The UAE

The United Arab Emirates spends roughly $25–26 billion annually on defence and maintains an integrated air and missile defence network. It operates Patriot systems, two THAAD batteries, Pantsir-S1 systems, Hawk systems, South Korea’s KM-SAM, and a range of counter-drone solutions.

Its air force includes advanced F-16 variants, supported by early warning systems. The UAE has focussed heavily on interoperability with US forces, improving real-time tracking and interception capability.

Qatar

After the 2017 Gulf crisis, Qatar embarked on a major procurement drive, acquiring Rafale jets from France, F-15QA fighters from the US, and Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK, alongside Apache helicopters and naval aviation platforms.

For air defence, Qatar operates the US's NASAMS, Patriot batteries and advanced radar systems, and is procuring THAAD batteries. It has also invested in counter-drone technologies and US-made MQ-series drones for surveillance and deterrence.

Kuwait

Kuwait relies significantly on integration with US assets stationed in the country. It operates NASAMS, Italian Spada 2000 systems, Sky Shield guns, Stinger MANPADS and is strengthening Patriot deployments. The US military presence adds a critical additional defensive layer.