The historic decision to unify the armed forces was a real beginning to create armed forces capable of assuming the responsibility entrusted to them. The years after the sixth of May 1976 had gigantic steps on the road to building, planning, organizing, arming, training and good management, until they(the armed forces) reached this high position, to become rightly a source of pride for every member of the nation.
Thanks to the directives and patronage of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, the Armed Forces have become comparable to the most modern military institutions in the world. This was clearly demonstrated through our armed forces’ state-of-the-art armament, organization, advanced training methods, their participation in peace- keeping and security operations in different parts of the world, and their highly-trained personnel which are mentally and physically equipped to fight in all circumstances and times, based on keeping pace with the most advanced weapon systems in the world.
The building of our armed forces has been completed with its various bodies, departments and services, and has become an integrated institution that carries out its defensive duty, and at the same time carries out many humanitarian tasks inside and outside the country, so that it works to embody the principles of human brotherhood and achieve noble goals by contributing to peace keeping, and working to extend a helping hand to those affected by wars and natural disasters in many countries of the world. As a result of the confidence in the UAE’s armed forces, the international community has assigned them many times with security and humanitarian missions.
Our wise leadership continues its interest and keenness to develop all services and formations of the armed forces, to be the fortified shield that protects the life of the homeland and provides it with security and stability. This is what the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, was always working on, and it has been achieved today, praise be to God.
It gives me great pleasure on this dear occasion to extend our felicitations and congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, “may God protect him”, to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, ” May God protect him, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on the occasion of the forty-fifth anniversary of the unification of the armed forces, pledging to them that we remain a shield and a sword to preserve the soil of this dear homeland.
