The UAE Armed Forces is among the best-equipped national defense force in the Arab World

The UAE Armed Forces is among the best-equipped national defense force in the Arab World. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the oil-rich country, has high purchasing power having an inclination to provide its soldiers, sailors and airmen the best weaponry and support systems available from the suppliers around the world.

After several years of intense efforts and investments, Bin Jabr Group´s NIMR 4X4 vehicles began active operations when the first batch was delivered to the UAE Armed Forces in January.

This high-mobility, multi-mission platform will successively equip various operational units from the logistic, signal, air defense and combat branches. As the first automotive industrial defense company in the whole middle east, Bin Jabr Group, emirates company, is planning to invest several million US dollars in building a second factory in Abu Dhabi in 2010.

The unification of the Armed Forces was one of the fruits of the formation of the seven-member federation of the UAE on December 2, 1971.

On May 6, 1976, the Federal Supreme Council issued a landmark decision merging all Armed Forced under one command and one flag. The decision was issued in line with the directives of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The unification was a reflection of strong bonds between people of the UAE and a result of great efforts made by Shaikh Zayed, the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

Following unification, the UAE's leaders devoted much attention to the building up the country's defensive capability through the establishment of military training institutions and the procurement of the latest military equipment making the UAE Army one of the most advanced in the world.

Speaking on the occasion of UAE National Day, Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, paid tribute to Shaikh Zayed and UAE leaders for their efforts and support which strengthened the country's forces.

Progress

"As we celebrate the anniversary of the federation, we remember the armed forces' unification day, which would have not been possible without the great efforts of Shaikh Zayed.

Al Rumaithi stated the UAE is determined to build its military and enhance defence capabilities through acquiring modern equipment and technology.

"The federation gave birth to a strong army, which is a pillar for progress and development," he said.

Al Rumaihti said the Armed Forces had made a qualitative breakthrough, now standing on par with the most modern armies in the region thanks to the availability of modern weaponry, sound scientific planning, organisation and highly trained national personnel.

The building up of the country's defensive capability via the establishment of military training institutes and the employment of technologies and the latest military developments was given priority and special support by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The UAE has always been keen to enhance the capabilities of its Armed Forces by supplying modern weapons and equipment and providing them with military training, to safeguard the nation, Al Rumaithi added.