The UAE has increased the security of its vital energy facilities amid the Iran-US conflict. According to the report, large mesh-like metal structures have been installed around fuel storage tanks in Abu Dhabi. The purpose of these protective shields is to reduce the damage caused to fuel storage and other important energy facilities due to drone attacks.
It is being told that the construction of these metal structures started around May. These have been specially installed to provide protection from short-range drones carrying explosives. However, they are not designed to stop ballistic or cruise missiles. Such missile attacks are considered a much more difficult challenge.
Understand the whole matter in 10 points
1. According to the report, large grid-like metal structures and nets have been installed around fuel storage tanks in Abu Dhabi. Their objective is to reduce the impact of direct drone attacks. This additional security is being provided especially to protect the energy infrastructure from small drones which can carry explosives.
2. Construction of these security structures reportedly began around May. This step was taken at a time when tension was increasing in the region and the UAE was facing the threat of drone and missile attacks.
3. This security arrangement became important after the conflict in which many areas of the UAE were targeted or threatened by Iranian missiles and drones. Energy and maritime infrastructure were also at risk during these attacks.
4. On May 4, a fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone due to a drone attack. Three Indian citizens were injured in this incident. Apart from this, UAE had told that an ADNOC tanker was targeted by two drones in the Strait of Hormuz.
5. According to UAE officials, more than 1,400 drones and hundreds of ballistic missiles were detected in the country after the Iranian attacks began. According to officials, most of these drones and missiles were intercepted.
6. The metal protective shields installed around the fuel tanks are primarily for protection against short-range drones. These are not designed to stop ballistic and cruise missiles. Protecting energy infrastructure from such missile attacks is considered much more difficult.
7. The strategy of placing metal structures or nets around fuel and oil storage facilities is not new. Russia has also used similar security structures to protect oil storage facilities in Ukraine from drone attacks.
8. According to experts, metal nets and protective shields do not guarantee complete protection from any attack. These are considered an additional layer of security. The technology of drone warfare is constantly changing and in the future attackers may develop drones or systems that are designed to overcome or damage these security shields.
9. These security structures being installed in Abu Dhabi also point towards a big change. Even relatively low-cost drones can cause major damage to vital facilities like energy. This is why despite the state-of-the-art air defense system, additional security measures are being taken around the energy infrastructure.
10. The metal structures installed around fuel tanks in Abu Dhabi indicate that the security of critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf region is being looked at in a new way. Now those drone attacks are also being seriously included in the security plans, which despite being relatively cheap, can cause huge damage to oil, fuel and other important energy facilities.