H.H. Sheikh Hamdan joins ceremony to mark UAE Armed Forces unification

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has attended a ceremony in Abu Dhabi to mark the 49th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces.

Commenting on the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan said the people of the UAE reflect with pride on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the contributions of the Founding Fathers who laid the foundations of unity and cemented the principles that continue to guide the nation’s progress.

The ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikha area.

The Ministry also paid tribute to the country’s fallen heroes and expressed deep appreciation to the men and women of the armed forces who serve at home and abroad.

The decision on May 6, 1976 to establish a unified military command provided the nation with a robust defence foundation and reinforced its standing at the regional and international levels

Sheikh Hamdan said unifying the UAE Armed Forces under one command greatly strengthened military excellence and boosted their ability to defend the nation and protect its achievements.

He added that continued investment in advanced defence technologies and the development of a skilled force has enabled the UAE to maintain a high level of preparedness amid a fast-evolving global landscape.

Hamdan bin Mohammed attends ceremony marking 49th anniversary of UAE Armed Forces unification at Abu Mureikha in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/qfQqOC5oH3

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 6, 2025