Abu Dhabi: Rulers and senior military officials on Sunday issued statements in Dira Al Watan magazine on the occasion of the 37th UAE Armed Forces Unification Day.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “The mastery of establishing a deterrent force, equipped with the latest equipment and military systems and technology, is the result of the preparation and implementation of modernised defensive and comprehensive programmes which qualify the armed forces to safeguard the homeland and the unity of the community.”
The following is an excerpt from Shaikh Khalifa’s statement:
“Commanders, officers, NCOs and soldiers of the Armed Forces, we are pleased, while we mark the 37th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces, to greet and encourage you in your tireless efforts to improve your skills and qualifications to be able to serve your homeland and enhance its unity along with maintaining its material and human achievements, which makes the UAE state proud of its achievements in the field of security and stability.
The unification of the armed forces of our country was achieved in 1976 to form a pioneering step in the process of building the institutions of the state in all areas, whereby we have strengthened this unity in our national work through our commitment to the objectives of the founding leaders. They wanted this nation to be strong and we follow them and continue, with our brothers, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, to build the basic components of these forces as we have prepared and implemented modernised defensive and comprehensive programmes which qualify the armed forces to safeguard the homeland and the unity of the community. And we are committed to continue our work to provide all aspects of support to bring our armed forces to a decent standard, internally and externally, in the framework of an integrated defence strategy that aims to achieve excellence and to enable the armed forces to perform their national and humanitarian duties to the fullest.”
On the occasion, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, expressed his happiness with the development achieved by the Armed Forces.
“It is with great pleasure and happiness that we witness the development achieved by the UAE Armed Forces with each passing year. This development goes hand in hand with the successes and developments achieved by the UAE in all fields,” said Shaikh Mohammad in his statement published in Dira Al Watan magazine.
“Today, brothers and sisters, we mark the 37th anniversary of the Armed Forces unification resolution. We are marking a national achievement that advances with every passing day. When the forces were unified its development became a key aspect in the UAE and its people’s march for development and progress. The unification also contributed to enhancing our capabilities and expertise, and determining methods for achieving our highest aspirations,” added Shaikh Mohammad.
“Today, the people of the UAE are both delighted and proud as they celebrate their Armed Forces, and they are fully assured of the Force’s capabilities and preparedness as well as their loyalty to the UAE and its leadership.
“The unification of the Armed Forces was the second biggest challenge to our founding fathers; the first challenge was the unification of the emirates, which many thought was ‘impossible’ to achieve. Our founding fathers overcame both these challenges, the UAE was formed, and 37 years ago, the Armed Forces were unified despite circumstances in the early days of the UAE,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that the unification of the UAE Armed Forces reflects the determination for the federation, unification, and their strategic vision that began with the efforts of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates.
“May 6 will forever be a landmark that reflects the depth of our founding fathers’ strategic vision. It is also proof that strong willpower and determination are cornerstones on which the UAE and its achievements were built. This day will remain a day from which lessons can be derived, and a reminder for our younger generations of the efforts of loyal and dedicated men that have given everything for building our country’s institutions and unification of our Armed Forces,” said Shaikh Mohammad’s statement.
“We are immensely proud of our prestigious military institution and its contributions towards supporting stability and security in brotherly countries, in addition to safeguarding peace, security and stability and its support for humanitarian and relief operations under the umbrella of the United Nations,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
