UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, affirmed that "our armed forces, since the issuance of the unification decision, have progressed in an upward trajectory, achieving qualitative leaps in organization, training, armament, efficiency, and operational capability, securing their rightful place among the modern armies of the world." He emphasized that "the development and strengthening of the UAE Armed Forces will remain a priority in our national journey, believing that possessing a deterrent force is the sure guarantee for maintaining peace."
In a speech marking the 48th anniversary of the unification of the armed forces, observed on May 6 each year, he stated that "the achievements in development and modernization have encompassed all components of the UAE Armed Forces, but the biggest achievement remains linked to the formation of military human resources, which was bolstered by the launch of the National Service Program in 2014, representing a qualitative addition that provided Emirati youth with opportunities to present the best examples of national belonging and a commitment to respond to the call of the homeland."
Bin Rashid affirmed that "Emirati military industries today contribute significantly to meeting important needs of our armed forces, competing with their high-quality and efficient products in the international arms market, becoming an important tributary for our efforts to diversify our economy, a vital field for research and development, and an effective tool for enhancing UAE relations with brotherly and friendly countries."
