UAE Anti-Drone Cages: Metal Defense for Fuel Storage

Images emerging from the United Arab Emirates show what appears almost surreal: massive structures made of steel beams and metal mesh enveloping fuel tanks and energy installations, resembling enormous cages hovering over strategic facilities. But this is no science fiction, it's a real defensive measure designed to counter one of modern warfare's cheapest and most dangerous threats: Iranian suicide drones.

According to recent reports, the UAE has completed construction of large metal cages around fuel storage tanks in Abu Dhabi and areas near Dubai International Airport. The work took approximately four months and began after Iranian attacks damaged energy infrastructure in the Emirates during recent hostilities.

The move follows an incident in which an Iranian explosive-laden drone struck a fuel tank at Dubai airport. The impact caused a fire and heavy smoke, leading to temporary suspension of aviation operations in the area.

Rather than relying solely on advanced interception systems, the Emirates is adding a physical defensive layer around the targets themselves.

UAE Installs Giant Metal Cages Over Fuel Tanks

The cages, known in military circles as "cope cages" or "anti-drone cages," consist of heavy metal frameworks and mesh installed around and above the tanks. The concept is relatively straightforward: the drone should not reach the tank wall directly. If it hits the mesh or metal framework, the explosion may occur at a distance from the target, thus reducing direct damage to the tank and the fuel inside.

The Emirates did not invent this method --- The idea was adopted from experience accumulated on the battlefield between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has used metal mesh and cages around tanks, vehicles, military installations, and energy facilities for years to counter drones. Ukraine has also made extensive use of improvised metal defensive measures against drones.

According to data provided by the UAE Ministry of Defense and cited in reports, the country's defense systems dealt with 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,265 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran during the conflict. Simultaneously, major energy facilities were hit, including oil storage facilities in Fujairah and the gas processing facility in Habshan.