Milestones of UAE Armed Forces unification

May 6, 1976: Federal Supreme Council issues a landmark decision to merge all the armed forces under one command.

1976: UAE Armed Forces undertake their first international task when troops are flown to Lebanon to join the Arab Deterrent Force for a peacekeeping mission.

1991: UAE Armed Forces are at the forefront of coalition efforts to liberate Kuwait, marking the UAE’s first involvement in an active war zone.

1992: UAE Armed Forces contribute to the Hope Revival mission in Somalia.

December 2, 1997: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, orders the completion of the full amalgamation of the forces affiliated to what is referred to as the Armed Forces’ Central Military Command.

October 26, 1999: A UAE Armed Forces contingent leaves for France to undergo training before joining the UN peacekeeping force in Kosovo.

November 1999: UAE Armed Forces join UN peace-keeping forces in monitoring one of the most volatile regions in Kosovo province.

December 8, 2001: UAE Armed Forces sign a Dh12 million contract for the establishment and maintenance of Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Kosovo.

January 22, 2003: Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Kosovo, established and built by the UAE Armed Forces, opens.

January 2, 2005: Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is appointed Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

February 20, 2007: Deal for 12 fast patrol boats worth Dh127 million signed.

February 23, 2009: UAE Armed Forces sign arms deals worth over Dh3 billion.

February 24, 2009: UAE Armed Forces purchase four C-17 aircraft from Boeing and 12 C-130J aircraft from Lockheed Martin among other military equipment valued at Dh12.3 billion.

March 1, 2014: UAE Armed Forces take part in search operations for the missing Malaysian plane MH370.

February 24, 2015: UAE Armed Forces enter into agreements worth Dh3.95 billion that include helicopters, rifles, ammunition, spare parts and radar systems. A contract to purchase ultra-precision guided ammunition at a cost of Dh1.53 billion is also signed.

April 2015: UAE Armed Forces participate in the Arab coalition and Operation Restoring Hope led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

May 19, 2016: UAE Armed Forces team, consisting of 16 members comprising 13 Emiratis from the armed forces and three experts in mountaineering expeditions, embarked on a mission and scaled Mount Everest at 8,858 metres, planting the UAE flag to mark the 40th anniversary of the unification of the UAE’s military forces.

January 26: A contingent of the UAE Armed Forces becomes the first Arab contingent to join the military parade on India’s Republic Day on January 26. The contingent marched in New Delhi, the Indian capital along with the Indian forces with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attending celebrations as chief guest.

— Compiled by Gulf News Archives