One of the UAE’s national companies has etched its place among the top 25 defense companies in the world, while national defense products are helping diversify the nation’s economy, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said
The “Made in the UAE” seal has become an indicator of high quality, boosting the nation’s competitive edge on the international defense market, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, said on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Armed Forces Unification Day.
This has been witnessed “most notably in the design, manufacturing and development of vehicles, warships, ammunition, projectiles, individual weapons, anti-missile and artillery systems, reconnaissance devices, and unmanned systems, including drones,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said.
UAE Rulers, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces have all hailed the nation’s march towards progress, development, and prosperity while marking the 46th anniversary of the Armed Forces Unification Day.
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed said that the 6 May, 1976 – which was recognised as the UAE Armed Forces Unification Day – was a turning point and key milestone in the UAE’s journey.
The UAE President said: “On this historic day, the decision to unify the UAE Armed Forces under one flag and one leadership was issued, embodying the aspirations of our people to have a modern and advanced military force that safeguards the country’s sovereignty and independence, strengthens its security and stability, and reinforces the values of patriotism.
“This decision embodies the wise vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Founding Leaders, Rulers of the Emirates, as well as their determination to establish the pillars of the Union and support its journey, while fully aware that achieving power, resilience, and development requires a strong, unified, highly efficient and well-equipped army.”
Since the unification, the country’s Armed Forces have remained the trusted guardian of the country’s gains and the main partner of all the successes, ensuring the nation’s safety, security, stability, and providing an environment conducive to development, the state-run news agency, Wam, reported.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed added: “The challenges and risks threatening our region and our regional environment and the ongoing tensions facing the world require us, the leaders of this country, to maintain our readiness, harness all capacities, upgrade our capabilities and acquire the most advanced military equipment, to ensure the safety and stability of our country, enabling us to proceed with our ambitious projects, help protect global peace and security, combat terrorism, and provide aid in areas torn by disasters and conflicts.
“To boost our political and military vision, we shall continue to strengthen our military cooperation with fraternal and friendly countries and upgrade our armed forces, diversify their weapons, and develop our national defense industries.”
UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, noted that economic development cannot be achieved without security and stability.
The Dubai Ruler maintained that implementing the ‘UAE’s 10 Principles for the Next 50 Years’ requires the nation to advance the capabilities of the UAE Armed Forces and national security departments.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “When the decision to unify the Armed Forces was issued on 6 May, 1976, our defense capacities were extremely modest. However, our dreams were big, and we had a clear vision and ambitious plans. We were racing against time, overcoming obstacles and coming up with solutions to address our challenges.
“Thanks to the vision and leadership of our Founding Father and the icon of our nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a major Armed Forces establishment process was launched, which continued to be forged ahead under the leadership of my brother, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and my brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.”
Since 1992, weaponry programmes have been linked to manufacturing and expertise transfer programmes.
The private sector has also been motivated to engage in defense industries, and the country’s regular specialist fairs helped exchange expertise and established partnerships.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added: “Today, our national defense products are enhancing the potential of our Armed Forces, supporting our political decisions, diversifying our economy, and equipping our human resources with distinguished capacities.
“Subsequently, one of our national companies has become among the top 25 defense companies in the world.”
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in 1979 and joined the army, climbing its ranks as he sought to develop all sections of the nation’s Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed supervised the drafting and implementation of development and modernisation strategies, led development operations from the field, and invested time with soldiers and officers from their camps.
He was known as the driving force behind the UAE National Service, which, since its launch in 2014, instilled values of loyalty and sacrifice in the hearts of the citizens to defend the achievements and gains of the Federation, push forward the wheel of development and protect the homeland, its borders, its resources and gains, and the nation’s security and stability.
Marking the 46th Armed Forces Unification Day, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “We proudly remember all generations of officials who served the UAE military and their valuable additions to its development and strengthening of its overall capacities with much appreciation and gratitude.
“At the same time, we look forward to further development and the modernisation of our Armed Forces in the upcoming period, to remain the symbol of the UAE’s pride, a protector of justice, and a supporter of friends and brothers.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed added: “We live in a turbulent and rapidly changing regional and international environment, which poses numerous threats and risks to the national security of countries that require us to be constantly ready and capable of addressing the fast-paced developments around us.
“The UAE believes that peace is the way to achieve the people’s aspirations for progress and prosperity, strengthen the foundations of peace in the region, find peaceful solutions to regional crises, and create suitable conditions to establish efficient partnerships to achieve growth and prosperity in the region.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince concluded: “Nevertheless, stable, and sustainable peace requires a solid force to protect it and, therefore, the UAE prioritises the development and modernisation of its Armed Forces.”
“Despite the importance of advanced weapons and equipment in strengthening the capacities of our Armed Forces, the human element remains the critical component, as they are the ones who use these weapons and equipment, and they are the ones equipped with the values of patriotism and sacrifice to defend the nation.”
The UAE rulers also offered their praises and best wishes to all the officers and soldiers in the UAE Armed Forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Unification Day.
Source:arabianbusiness.com