Emirati Air Force
Principal air force units include three fighter ground-attack squadrons, one fighter squadron, and one combat-capable trainer squadron. The air defense force has two brigades (three battalions).The air force has 106 combat aircraft and 59 armed helicopters, as well as assorted reconnaissance aircraft, transport aircraft, transport helicopters, search-and-rescue helicopters, training aircraft, and both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. Air force capabilities are being upgraded significantly through the acquisition of 80 F–16 combat aircraft and 33 multirole Mirage 2000–9 combat aircraft and the upgrading of the 30 Mirage combat aircraft already in the inventory.
