A new short-range air defense system designed for rapid deployment is set to tackle asymmetric threats in the UAE.
Emirati firm Calidus has unveiled AlDeraa, an anti-drone system built to intercept aerial threats and loitering munitions with both soft- and hard-kill options.
A suite of advanced sensors reportedly allows it to detect and identify low-signature targets faster and with greater precision.
AlDeraa links into the country’s existing Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) systems, positioning it as a key player in the UAE’s multi-tiered air defense network.
“Development of the new system started recently, based on end-user requirements and real-world operational environments,” stated Calidus Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Khalifa Murad Alblooshi, as quoted by Emirates News Agency.
‘Rapid, Reliable Response’
Built for speed and combat flexibility, the system can operate as a stationary defense solution or be mounted on mobile units.
While specific performance details remain undisclosed, Calidus said AlDeraa can deliver “effective action within critical timeframes.”
“We have ensured that the system is tactical, rapidly deployable, logistically lightweight, customizable, and integrable with users’ command and control systems, meeting their urgent operational requirements in modern battlefields,” Alblooshi stressed.
The short-range air defense solution made its debut at the 2025 Dubai Airshow.
