UAE Armed Forces mark 43rd Unification Day Anniversary

Abu Dhabi: Commanders and units of the UAE Armed Forces have celebrated the 43rd Unification Day Anniversary on Sunday.

The ceremony recalled the memories of the founding fathers, notably the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who managed through their diligence and will to build the Union and to unify the Armed Forces — under one command, one banner — and who had worked collectively to consolidate the federal entity and stabilise its pillars.

On this occasion, the Armed Forces hailed the remarkable efforts of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who continued the process of giving and building with unswerving determination and will to achieve the lofty goals of developing the armed forces and equip them with the most modern weapon systems.

Land Forces

The Land Forces Command held a ceremony marking the 43rd anniversary in the presence of Staff Major General Saleh Mohammad Al Amiri, Commander of the UAE Land Forces, and a large number of officers, on Sunday.

During the ceremony, a speech was delivered to shed light on the importance of this national occasion, celebrating the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of the UAE Armed Forces and marking with great dignity the martyrs' sacrifices for the nation.

Naval Forces

Also, the Naval Forces observed this cherished national occasion in the presence of Major General Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, and a large number of naval personnel.

During a special ceremony, a speech was delivered to note that the unification of the country's Armed Forces was in response to the hopes and aspirations of the UAE's people to consolidate the federal entity by establishing its foundations and building its institutions along with organising its structures.

Air Force

Major General Staff Pilot Ebrahim Nasser Mohammad Al Alawi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, along with a large number of officers, also marked the occasion with a ceremony and a speech noting the significance of this national occasion.

The commemoration of the 43rd anniversary of the Unification of the UAE Armed Forces, it was noted, is considered to have been a decisive event in consolidating the Union's march and fortifying its foundations.

Safeguarding the development of the UAE

Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has said that the continuous development of the Armed Forces, in terms of armaments and training, remains a priority.

The leadership firmly believes that UAE’s development must be safeguarded, and that a country capable of defending its interests in a world full of threats and challenges needs sophisticated military power to ensure its progress and development.

In a speech marking the 43rd Unification Day of the Armed Forces, Shaikh Mohammad said the development of the Armed Forces was helping to secure the stability and peace of the region. He added the Armed Forces had been a force for peace across the world and had played an important role in peace-keeping efforts globally.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin stressed that the leadership was keen on supporting the Armed Forces and providing them the necessary capabilities, and regarded them as the symbol of national pride and the basis of the country’s progress.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince underlined the UAE would always be grateful to its loyal sons who had brought it glory and made great sacrifices to defend it. He said the nation remembered its fallen martyrs who laid down their lives so that the UAE could be secure. Shaikh Mohammad said the country would firmly uphold the principles for which its heroic martyrs had sacrificed their lives - justice, honour and the fight against tyranny and aggression.

The UAE - the land of tolerance, co-existence and dialogue - would always be secure and stable, with the grace of the Almighty, the wisdom of its leadership and the loyalty of its people, Shaikh Mohammad further said. He noted the Armed Forces were at the forefront of loyalty, personified bravery and patriotism, and symbolised the nation’s strength and might.

Shaikh Mohammad concluded by saying that 6th May every year would serve as an inspiration to safeguard the legacy of UAE's fathers and forefathers.

The full text of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed’s statement is as follows:

Brothers and Sisters, our sons the officers and soldiers of our brave Armed Forces: On this national occasion that is dear to our hearts, on the occasion of the 43rd Unification Day of the Armed Forces, I congratulate you from my heart, and highlight your role in protecting the nation and safeguarding its accomplishments and in doing so, becoming a source of pride for every Emirati.

On this glorious day in the history of the nation, I would like to congratulate our leader along this journey, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and their brothers, Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates.

On this occasion, we fondly remember the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brother Rulers of the Emirates, who made a historical decision on 6th May 1976 to unite the Armed Forces under one flag, one goal and one leadership. It was one of the most important decisions in the nation’s history, not only because UAE defence capabilities were consolidated, but also because it led to a unified, sophisticated army capable of countering any threat and confronting those trying to undermine the country’s interests. Moreover, this decision helped foster and strengthen the Union. As a result, the people of the UAE developed bonds of brotherhood, and their hearts and sentiments united, and together they shed their blood in the service of one flag, to protect our nation and its interests.

Brothers and sisters, our sons the officers and soldiers of our brave Armed Forces: The UAE will forever be grateful to its loyal sons who have brought it glory and made great sacrifices to defend it. On this glorious occasion, we remember our fallen martyrs who are the epitome of sacrifice and heroism. They have fallen so the nation can rise and live in security. We pray to Allah for their noble souls to rest in peace, and may they be the chosen ones. We reiterate that the UAE shall firmly uphold the principles for which our heroic martyrs sacrificed their lives - justice, honour and the fight against tyranny and aggression.

Brothers and sisters, our sons the officers and soldiers of our brave Armed Forces: The continued development of our brave armed forces, in armaments and training, remains a priority. This stems from the leadership’s firm belief that development must be safeguarded, and that a country capable of defending its interests in a world full of risks, threats and challenges must have sophisticated military power to fortify itself on the path to progress and development.

The Armed Forces, 43 years after their union, have become a reference in state-of-the-art arms and technology and effective training, with the support of the leadership and the loyalty of its people. They are capable of operating in different terrains and perform various missions with a high level of efficiency and professionalism. They have won the respect and appreciation of the region and the wider world, and have become one more instance of the UAE’s all-round development.

The development of our Armed Forces helps secure the security, stability and peace of the region. The Armed Forces have always been a force for peace in the region and across the world. They have played an important role in peace-keeping efforts across the world, thus reinforcing the UAE’s international credentials.

The leadership is keen on supporting the Armed Forces and providing them the necessary capabilities. It regards the Armed Forces as the symbol of our pride and the basis of our progress.

Our Armed Forces have always been up to the challenge and worthy of the responsibility and trust bestowed upon them by our leadership and people. They have fought to defend their nation and all that is right and just, and have been fitting ambassadors of the UAE in all the peace-keeping missions they have been part of around the world.

Women in the Armed Forces have earned the trust and support of the leadership under President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. They have demonstrated they are worthy of this trust and privilege over years of hard work. Women have made great achievements and demonstrated competence and the ability to assume responsibility in various areas of national duty.

Brothers and sisters, our sons the officers and soldiers of our brave Armed Forces: This beloved nation, the land of tolerance, co-existence and dialogue, shall always be secure and stable, with the grace of the Almighty, the wisdom of its leadership and the loyalty of its people. You, the Armed Forces, are at the forefront of loyalty, you personify bravery and patriotism, and are a symbol of the nation’s strength and might.

May 6th of every year will serve as an inspiration to safeguard the legacy of our fathers and forefathers, as desired by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan and his brothers, the Founding Fathers.

May Allah preserve the UAE and its people.

Fulfilment of our pledge of allegiance

Ajman: His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has said that the UAE Armed Forces are the source of strength and stability, noting that the decision to unite the country's Armed Forces positioned it among world's strong armies, thus, contributing effectively, with other GCC and Arab countries' armies to maintain peace, security and stability locally, regionally and internationally.

In a statement to Nation Shield, the UAE's military journal, marking the 43rd Anniversary of the UAE's Armed Forces Unification Day, celebrated on Monday, 6th May, Shaikh Humaid said: "We celebrate the 43rd anniversary of the Unification of our Armed Forces in fulfilment of our pledge of allegiance and our gratitude to our homeland.

"On this day, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates put their wise vision for the future of this country in practical steps by taking the historic decision on 6th May 1976, to unify the Armed Forces and establish one army for the nation that protects its soil and safeguards its security, stability, achievements and gains while consolidating the entity of the Union and stabilising its pillars.

"I would like to convey my deepest congratulations, and appreciation to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, along with Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates, and the UAE people on this cherished national occasion, which takes place every year to commemorate the achievements of our brave UAE soldiers and armed forces in their long history, glorious present and notable future, completing the march of strength, union, pride and glory.

"The Armed Forces are the source of strength and stability. The historic decision, to unite the country's armed forces, positioned the UAE Armed Forces as one of the strong armies, which made us proud of having a modern army, equipped with the latest military technologies and capable of tackling all challenges and contribute effectively, with other GCC and Arab countries' armies to maintain peace, security and stability locally, regionally and internationally.

"The UAE Armed Forces provide support and relief to the victims of disasters and the underprivileged across the globe. They also provided the humanitarian aid to shelter refugees and the injured as well as contribute to reconstruction efforts in post conflict zones. By doing so, the UAE Armed Forces presented a picture of honour and pride of the UAE and Arab people.

"We are proud as well of our sons and daughters in the national service, who are joining the Armed Forces out of their feeling of belongingness and loyalty to the homeland as well as their keenness to serve their present and future and preserve the gains of their country.

"On the occasion, we commemorate the martyrs of our nation and recall their names with glory and heroism. Our sons, who sacrificed for the sake of Allah, the homeland and humanity, have presented historical and illustrious examples of the nation's march and values, based on tolerance and solidarity.

"In conclusion, on this precious occasion, we renew our determination to move forward in the path of union and building the nation, calling the people of this country to continue to be faithful and loyal to protect the achievements of the UAE."

Humanitarian message

Umm Al Quwain: In the history of our young country, we will remember with pride 6th May 1976, when the Founding Father, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the Founding Fathers announced the unification of the UAE Armed Forces, said His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain.

He added that this move was supported by loyalty to the wise leadership, sacrifice to protect the country's achievements, and carrying its humanitarian message inside the country and abroad, backed with an unprecedented national will.

In a statement to Nation Shield, the UAE's military journal, marking the 43rd Anniversary of the UAE's Armed Forces Unification Day, to be celebrated on Monday, 6th May, Shaikh Saud said: "For years, our Armed Forces have been given the right attention by the leadership in areas of military training and combat capabilities and in developing the culture, capabilities, and skills of their members in accordance with the highest military standards, so as to raise their readiness and efficiency to carry out the roles entrusted to them inside or outside the country. In addition, the local weapons industries are being modernised in cooperation with friendly countries to develop our preparedness, according to the latest international standards.

"Our celebration on this occasion is a real translation of citizenship, capacity-building, and self-development principles to protect our national gains and as a matter of pride in the martyrs and their families who have sacrificed their lives in the discharge of their heroic deeds.

"On this occasion, we remember the sacrifices of our martyrs and pray to Allah Almighty to rest their souls in Paradise and to grant patience and solace to their families," Shaikh Saud concluded.