Two UAE Soldiers Killed In Helicopter Crash After Technical Glitch

Last Updated:March 09, 2026, 19:58 IST

The UAE Ministry of Defence announced the martyrdom of two Armed Forces members in a helicopter crash due to a technical malfunction on March 9, 2026, and extended condolences.

The UAE Ministry of Defence on Monday said two members of the Armed Forces were killed in a helicopter crash due to a technical malfunction.

In a post on X, the ministry said: “The UAE Ministry of Defence announces the martyrdom of two members of the Armed Forces following a helicopter crash due to a technical malfunction while performing their national duty in the country today, Monday, March 9, 2026."

“The Ministry of Defence extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of the two martyrs, praying that Almighty God grants them His vast mercy and gives their families patience and solace," it added.

UAE Intercepts UAVs, Ballistic Missiles

United Arab Emirates said its air defences on Monday destroyed 17 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and 12 ballistic missiles. The number of Iranian drone attacks on UAE has reportedly declined sharply.

In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence said that 15 ballistic missiles were detected, of which 12 were destroyed and three fell into the sea.

“A total of 18 UAVs were also detected, with 17 intercepted, while 1 fell within the country’s territory," it said.

Also Read: UAE Air Defences Addressing Threats As Military Intercepts Missile And Drone Attacks From Iran

The ministry said that 253 ballistic missiles have been detected, of which 233 were destroyed, 18 fell into the sea, and two landed within the country, since the star of the Iranian attacks.

It further said that a total of 1,440 Iranian UAVs were detected, of which 1,359 were intercepted, while 81 fell within the country’s territory. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.

“These attacks resulted in 4 deaths among Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, and 117 people sustained minor injuries. The injured include nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan and Palestine," the Defence Ministry said.

Also Read: Dubai Authorities Urge Against Stockpiling Amid War As UAE Intercepts Drones, Missiles From Iran

The ministry said it is prepared to deal with any threats and “will respond firmly to any attempts to undermine the country’s security, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguarding its national interests and capabilities".

Meanwhile, Lucas Tomlinson, a Fox News journalist, said in a post on X, “Sharp decline in Iranian drone attacks on UAE, which had been averaging 124 per day over the past week."

Notably, the attacks were part of Iran’s retaliatory strikes following the start of the war after the US-Israel joint operation killed the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28.

According to a report by DowJones, the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran will likely place renewed strain on global food supply chains partly because of the knock-on impacts of Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure, which include increasing the cost of transporting and distributing food.

Previously, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said his country was well in a time of war and told his enemies that it was no easy prey.

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