Reports have emerged that the United Arab Emirates has deployed an advanced radar system to northeastern Somalia, specifically to the Puntland Maritime Headquarters adjacent to the UAE-operated Bosaso Air Base.
The system in question is the Israeli-made ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array Multi-Mission Radar, a sophisticated piece of technology designed for air and artillery surveillance, as well as missile and drone tracking.
This development, noted by military journalists in Puntland and shared through open-source intelligence channels, raises questions about the UAE’s strategic intentions in the volatile Horn of Africa region.
The radar’s placement in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia, comes at a time of heightened geopolitical maneuvering in the area, with global powers vying for influence over critical maritime routes. While the precise purpose of the deployment remains unclear, it signals a deepening of the UAE’s military and strategic footprint in a region critical to global trade and security.
The ELM-2084, produced by ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, is a mobile, S-band radar renowned for its versatility and precision. It can detect and track up to 1,100 targets simultaneously at ranges extending to approximately 470 kilometers, offering real-time 3D situational awareness.
The system’s active electronically steered array allows it to compile a comprehensive air picture without mechanical rotation, adapting dynamically to incoming threats. It excels in multiple roles: detecting aircraft, tracking ballistic missiles, locating artillery fire, and providing fire control guidance for air defense systems like Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling.
Its combat-proven record includes a reported 90 percent interception success rate for Iron Dome against over 1,000 rockets, as noted in operational data from the Israel Defense Forces. The radar’s mobility—comprising a radar unit, control module, cooling system, and power generator—enables deployment on various platforms, making it ideal for dynamic environments like Puntland.
Compared to other systems, such as the U.S. AN/TPQ-53 counter-battery radar or Russia’s 96L6E used in S-400 systems, the ELM-2084 stands out for its multi-mission capability, blending air defense and artillery detection in a single package. While the AN/TPQ-53 focuses narrowly on projectile tracking, and the 96L6E prioritizes long-range air surveillance, the ELM-2084’s ability to juggle both roles gives it a unique edge in complex theaters.
Puntland’s strategic location near the Gulf of Aden, a chokepoint for global shipping through the Suez Canal, makes the radar’s deployment particularly significant. The Gulf handles roughly 12 percent of global trade and 30 percent of container traffic, according to the International Maritime Organization.
Threats like piracy, which plagued the region in the late 2000s, and more recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Red Sea shipping, underscore the area’s vulnerability. The UAE, a key player in regional security, has operated Bosaso Air Base since 2017, initially to train Puntland’s maritime police and counter-piracy.
