Israeli news agency I24 News published photos on 13/5 showing "cage armor" structures around fuel tanks near Dubai international airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Two of these structures on the left are currently being installed, while the one on the right is nearing completion.

"This marks the first appearance of such a protection method in the UAE and Gulf countries. It remains unclear when the UAE began construction or how many such barriers it plans to install," stated Howard Altman, an editor at the US military publication War Zone.

Cage armor outside fuel tanks near Dubai international airport, shown in a photo published on 13/5. *Photo: I24 News*

However, this is not the first instance of cage armor being deployed globally to protect energy infrastructure. Russia has implemented similar systems, including steel nets, to shield its oil storage facilities from Ukrainian drone attacks for several years.

This construction follows intense attack campaigns by Iran against the UAE, involving over 2.800 missiles and suicide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAE has faced more such attacks than any other nation involved in the Middle East conflict, including Israel.

"The UAE appears to have adopted strategies from Russia and Ukraine in its effort to protect energy facilities with these massive protective cages. These metal structures create a barrier, separating targets from incoming weapons and helping to minimize damage," Altman added.

However, experts suggest that these massive cage systems are only effective against smaller threats, such as Shahed-136 type suicide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or small drones. They are deemed ineffective against ballistic and cruise missiles.

A UAV crashing into the Dubai airport area in the UAE, shown in a video published on 7/3. *Video: CNN*

The Iranian attacks have severely impacted the UAE's air traffic, tourism, and real estate market, resulting in numerous layoffs and temporary furloughs.

The oil storage facility at Fujairah port and the Habshan gas plant in the UAE sustained damage during the conflict. The Habshan plant, a primary gas supply facility for the UAE, is not expected to restore full capacity until next year.

"The true effectiveness of these structures will only be known when they face a new wave of Iranian attacks," Altman stated.

By Nguyen Tien (Source: War Zone, AFP, AP, Reuters)