Editing United Arab Emirates Armed Forces

{{short description|Military of the United Arab Emirates}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = United Arab Emirates Armed Forces
| native_name = {{native name|ar|القوات المسلحة لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة}}
| image = UAE Armed Forces Coat of Arms.svg
| alt = 
| caption = Seal of the Armed Forces
| image2 = Flag of the UAE Armed Forces.svg
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = Flag of the Armed Forces
| motto = 
| founded = {{start date and age|1951|05|11}}{{efn|With the establishment of the [[Trucial Oman Levies]].}}
| current_form = 
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{army|United Arab Emirates|name=UAE Army}}<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the United Arab Emirates Navy.png}} [[United Arab Emirates Navy|UAE Navy]]<br />{{air force|United Arab Emirates|name=UAE Air Force}}<br />[[File:UAE Presidential Guard.svg|15px]] [[United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard|UAE Presidential Guard]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the United Arab Emirates Joint Aviation Command.png}} UAE Joint Aviation Command<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/225810112554 | title=United Arab Emirates UAE Joint Aviation Command Ministry of Defen Challenge Coin }}</ref> <br />{{flagicon image|National Guard flag.jpg|thumb}} UAE National Guard<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ng.gov.ae/ | title=United Arab Emirates National Guard Website }}</ref>
| headquarters = 
| website = {{URL|https://mod.gov.ae/|Ministry of Defence}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of the United Arab Emirates|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister = [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]<br>[[Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum]]
| chief minister_title = Prime Minister<br /><br />Minister of Defence
| minister = 
| minister_title = 
| commander = [[Major General]] Ahmed Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
| commander_title = Vice Chief of Staff
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18 years
| conscription = 
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 65,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/958309/mena-active-military-personnel-by-country/|publisher=Statista|title=Number of active military personnel in the Middle East and North Africa in 2024, by country|access-date=30 July 2024|date=19 July 2024}}</ref>
| ranked = 
| reserve = 130,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/958319/mena-reserve-military-personnel-by-country/|publisher=Statista|title=Number of reserve military personnel in the Middle East and North Africa in 2024, by country|access-date=30 July 2024|date=19 July 2024}}</ref>
| deployed = <!-- Financial -->
| amount = {{USD|24.4 billion|link=yes}} (2024)
| percent_GDP = 5.6%
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = [[Edge Group|Edge Group PJSC]]
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = 
| ranks = [[Military ranks of United Arab Emirates]]
| chief_of_staff_title = Chief of Staff
| chief_of_staff = [[Lt Gen]] Issa Al Mazrouei
}}

The '''United Arab Emirates Armed Forces''' ({{langx|ar|القوات المسلحة لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة|Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa li-Dawlat al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyyah al-Muttaḥidah}}) are the armed forces of the [[United Arab Emirates]]. They consist of the [[United Arab Emirates Army|UAE Army]], [[United Arab Emirates Navy|UAE Navy]], [[United Arab Emirates Air Force|UAE Air Force]], [[United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard|UAE Presidential Guard]], [[United Arab Emirates Joint Aviation Command|UAE Joint Aviation Command]], and the [[United Arab Emirates National Guard|UAE National Guard]].

They were nicknamed "Little Sparta", a nickname by former United States Marine Corps General and Secretary of Defense [[Jim Mattis|James Mattis]], due to their active and effective military role and power projection in the surrounding region compared to their relative size.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-the-uae-the-united-states-has-a-quiet-potent-ally-nicknamed-little-sparta/2014/11/08/3fc6a50c-643a-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html |title=In the UAE, the United States has a quiet, potent ally nicknamed 'Little Sparta' |first=Rajiv |last=Chandrasekaran |date=November 9, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818041917/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-the-uae-the-united-states-has-a-quiet-potent-ally-nicknamed-little-sparta/2014/11/08/3fc6a50c-643a-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/sizing-up-little-sparta-understanding-uae-military-effectiveness/|title=Sizing up Little Sparta: Understanding UAE Military Effectiveness|first=Kenneth|last=Pollack|date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Union Defence Force.jpg|thumb|A falcon was added to the original Trucial Oman Levies insignia to signify the union of the emirates and formation of a force.]]

The United Arab Emirates military was formed from the [[Trucial Oman Levies]] which was established on 11 May 1951 and was renamed the Trucial Oman Scouts in 1956.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yates |first=Athol |title=The Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates |publisher=Helion & Company |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-91286-600-7 |location=Warwick |page=175}}</ref> The Trucial Oman Scouts was turned over to the United Arab Emirates as the nucleus of its defense forces in 1971 with the formation of UAE and was absorbed into a united military called the Union Defence Force (UDF). The Union Defence Force was established officially as the military of the United Arab Emirates on 27 December 1971 from a directive issued by [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]].<ref name=GHQ>{{cite news |url=https://www.albayan.ae/across-the-uae/news-and-reports/2015-01-01-1.2278422 |title=توحيد القوات المسلحة أعظم قرارات دولة الاتحاد |newspaper=[[Al-Bayan (newspaper)|Al-Bayan]] |language=ar |date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

As the Union Defence Force, every emirate was responsible for the equipment and training of its defense forces. In the event of an attack on any one of the seven emirates, the Union Defence Force would be mobilized from every emirate to defend the emirate under attack. In 1974 the name was changed to the Federal Armed Forces. On 6 May 1976, the Federal Armed Forces were unified as a single body. May 6 is celebrated annually as the Military Union Day. As a result of the union of forces, the number of personnel formed a [[brigade]] and were referred to as the Yarmouk Brigade.<ref name=GHQ/>

After the union of the armed forces in 1976, the Yarmouk Brigade was officially renamed the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. In 1976 the official UAE Armed Forces insignia, uniform, military academies, air force, and naval force were established and the military General Headquarters (GHQ) was formed in Abu Dhabi.<ref name=GHQ/>

UAE Armed Forces are equipped with weapon systems purchased from a variety of outside countries, including France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Some officers are graduates of the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Royal Military Academy]] at [[Sandhurst, Berkshire|Sandhurst]], with others having attended the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point, New York|West Point]], the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]], and [[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr|St Cyr]], the military academy of [[France]].

The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces participated in multiple conflicts, including the ones in the Middle East. From 1977-1979 the UAE Army contributed 750 men to the [[Arab Deterrent Force]] peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.<ref name="Yates 2020 329">{{Cite book |last=Yates |first=Athol |title=The Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates |publisher=Helion and Company |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-91286-600-7 |location=Warwick |page=329}}</ref> During 1990–1991, the Armed Forces participated in the first [[Gulf War]]. 10 UAE soldiers lost their lives in liberating Kuwait.<ref name="Yates 2020 329"/> UAE Armed Forces were deployed in Eastern Europe and joined NATO's [[Kosovo Force]] peacekeeping mission undertaking aid missions to thousands of fleeing refugees on the Albanian border. This was the first time the UAE troop's uniform was switched to the woodland camouflage compared to their home desert camouflage.<ref name=kfor>{{cite news |url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/special-report-the-day-emirati-troops-came-to-help-war-torn-kosovo-1.891416 |title=Special Report: The day Emirati troops came to help war-torn Kosovo |newspaper=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |date=29 July 2019}}</ref> UAE Armed Forces participated in the peacekeeping mission in  Somalia from 1993-94. The UAE Presidential Guards were deployed to maintain security in [[War in Afghanistan]] against the Taliban. In March 2011, UAE joined the enforcement of the [[Operation Odyssey Dawn|no-fly-zone over Libya]] by sending six [[F-16]] and six [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]] [[Multirole combat aircraft|multi-role fighter aircraft]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12806112 |title=Libya no-fly zone: Coalition firepower |date=21 October 2011 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209222012/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12806112 |archive-date=9 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2015 joined the Saudi-led coalition intervention in Yemen by sending 30 UAEAF F16 Desert Falcons to Yemen. The intervention was followed by UAE ground troops deployment in Southern Yemen focusing on targeting "terrorist" cells such as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State.

UAE introduced a mandatory [[military conscription]]  of 16 months for adult males in 2014 to expand its reserve force.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-military/uae-extends-compulsory-military-service-to-16-months-idUSKBN1JY093 |title=UAE extends compulsory military service to 16 months |website=Reuters |date=8 July 2018}}</ref> The date of the first death in the line of duty of a UAE soldier was on 30 November 1971 during the [[Seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs]] which is celebrated annually as the [[Commemoration Day]]. The largest loss of life in the history of the UAE military occurred on Friday 4 September 2015 when 52 soldiers were killed in [[Ma'rib|Marib]] area of Yemen by a [[OTR-21 Tochka|Tochka]] missile that targeted a weapons cache and caused an explosion.<ref name=":52">{{cite web |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKCN0R40V120150904 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126010335/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKCN0R40V120150904 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |title=UAE, Bahrain says 50 soldiers killed in Yemen attack |date=4 September 2015 |website=Reuters |access-date=17 September 2015}}</ref> Names of UAE soldiers who died in the line of duty are inscribed in the UAE Armed Forces memorial, the [[Wahat Al Karama|Oasis of Dignity]], in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE outsourced{{when|date=November 2024}} much of its military to foreign mercenaries and advisers. A report released in October 2022 revealed that several retired US military personnel work as military contractors or consultants for the UAE. The report obtained through the [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|Freedom of Information Act]] revealed that in seven years nearly 280 American military veterans sought federal permission to work for the Emirates. Hundreds of US military veterans were also known to have been hired by the UAE government or state-owned firms. Experts claimed that the Emirati military was the Arab world's most powerful due to the influx of American veterans. UAE ambassador to the US, [[Yousef Al Otaiba]], said the US played a crucial role in the Emirates' progress and security. However, the extent of Emirati dependence on US military contractors is not fully known.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/uae-military-us-veterans/|title=UAE relied on the expertise of retired U.S. troops to beef up its military|access-date=18 October 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

==Branches==
===Air Force===
{{main|United Arab Emirates Air Force}}
The [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]] has about 4,000 personnel as of 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5444.htm#defense |title=United Arab Emirates |work=U.S. Department of State |access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> The air force agreed in 1999 to purchase 80 [[United States|US]] [[F-16]] multirole fighter aircraft. Next to that they included other equipment such as 60 [[Mirage 2000]]s, British [[BAE Hawk|Hawk]] aircraft, and French [[helicopter]]s. The air defense has a [[MIM-23 Hawk|Hawk missile]] program for which the United States has been providing training. The UAE has taken delivery of two out of five Triad I-Hawk batteries.
*The [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]] is responsible for protecting the country's airspace and civil defense aircraft.

===Army===
{{main|United Arab Emirates Army}}
As part of the military of the United Arab Emirates, the Army (called Land Forces in Arabic) is responsible for land and ground-based operations.
*Medical Corps form part of the Army and are responsible for military medical support to the rest of UAE Armed Forces.

===Navy===
{{Main|United Arab Emirates Navy}}

The United Arab Emirates Navy consisted{{when|date=February 2023}} of more than 2,000 personnel and 72 vessels.

*United Arab Emirates Marines – UAE maintained a battalion-sized Marine force called UAE Marines until 2011 when it was merged into UAE-PG.
*[[United Arab Emirates Coast Guard]] – a coast guard agency of the United Arab Emirates and is primarily responsible for the protection of the UAE coastline through regulation of maritime laws, maintenance of seamarks, border control, anti-smuggling operations, and other services.

===Presidential Guard===
{{main article|UAE Presidential Guard}}
The United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard (UAE-PG) was formed in 2011 by merging the Amiri Guard, Special Operations Command, and the Marine Battalion from the UAE Navy.  UAE requested training support be provided by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/uae-pg.htm |title=UAE Presidential Guard Command |website=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=8 May 2019}}</ref> The U.S. State Department approved a foreign military sales (FMS) Training Case for UAE-PG in October 2011. Marine Corps Training Mission UAE (MCTM-UAE) operates under chief of mission authority as a Title 22 FMS training case.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/895109/personnel-sourcing-guidance-in-support-of-marine-corps-training-mission-united/ |title=Personnel Sourcing Guidance in Support of Marine Corps Training Mission - United Arab Emirates (MCTM- UAE) |date=October 24, 2012 |website=U.S. Marine Corps |access-date=8 May 2019 }}</ref>

==Deployments==
[[File:110407-A-HM954-005 (5617028210).jpg|thumb|A UAE Armed Forces Special Ops soldier assigned to Special Operations Task Force-West patrols villages in [[Afghanistan]] on 7 April 2011.]]
[[File:United Arab Emirates Air Force serviceman.jpg|thumb|UAEAF crew chief communicating during an engine test at [[Nellis Air Force Base]] during [[Exercise Red Flag|Red Flag]] 11-2 on 2 February 2011]]
[[File:BMP-3 AFVs of the UAE.JPEG|thumb|UAE Army BMP-3 conducting live fire desert training]]

===Gulf War===
{{main|Gulf War}}
UAE sent forces to assist [[Kuwait]] during the 1990–1991 [[Gulf War]] where some hundred UAE troops participated in the conflict as part of the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|GCC]] [[Peninsula Shield]] force that advanced into [[Kuwait City]].<ref name=GW>{{cite book |author=Brigadier General Ibrahim Al-Nakhi |url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a264530.pdf |title=The Gulf war: UAE Participation in that War |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030210548/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a264530.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> UAE air force carried out strikes against Iraqi forces. UAE Armed Forces participated in the coalition with an army battalion along with a squadron of [[Dassault Mirage 5]] and [[Mirage 2000]].<ref name=GW /> 6 UAE troops were killed in action.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-14256.html |title=The Role of the United Arab Emirates in the Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf War |website=Country-data.com |access-date=1 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501143405/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-14256.html |archive-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===United Nations Operation in Somalia II===
{{main|UNOSOM II}}

UAE Armed Forces participated in [[UNOSOM II]] which was an intervention launched in March 1993 until March 1995, and committed resources to the United Nations mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/unosom2b.htm |title=United Nations Operation in Somalia II |website=United Nations |date=21 March 1997 |access-date=22 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006222127/http://www.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/unosom2b.htm |archive-date=6 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/priming-uaes-military-into-a-force-to-reckon-with-1.1435587 |title=Priming UAE's military into a force to reckon with |newspaper=Gulf News |last1=Salama |first1=Samira |date=3 January 2015 |access-date=22 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222082146/https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/priming-uaes-military-into-a-force-to-reckon-with-1.1435587 |archive-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Lebanon===
{{see also|South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)}}
UAE Military field engineers arrived in [[Lebanon]] on 8 September 2007 in [[Beirut]] to clear areas of south Lebanon from [[Land mine|mines]] and [[cluster bombs]].

===War in Afghanistan===
{{main|War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)}}
UAE Armed Forces were deployed in 2003 to Afghanistan mainly to support construction. UAE special forces would establish [[fire support base]] around UAE-supported projects which included funding tarmac roads, clinics, a Pashtun radio station, and a mast provided by [[Etisalat]] which provided competition for other mobile networks in [[Helmand]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/on-the-frontline-with-uae-forces-in-helmand-1.423315/ |title=On the frontline with UAE forces in Helmand |newspaper=The National |date=22 July 2021}}</ref> Their activities include driving into "remote and impoverished" Afghan villages, distributing aid and sitting down with the village "elders" to inquire about their needs. They would then fund projects while the contracts went out to local tender. UAE Armed Forces used their ties to Islam and ability to fund projects to try to reduce the local suspicion of NATO in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54235209 |title=How the UAE emerged as a regional powerhouse |website=BBC News |date=22 September 2020}}</ref>

=== Saudi-led intervention in Yemen===
{{main|Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen}}

In 2015, UAE participated in the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]] to influence the outcome of the [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|Yemeni Civil War (2015–)]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/tributes-paid-to-45-emirati-heroes-martyred-in-yemen-1.1578419 |title=Tributes paid to 45 Emirati heroes martyred in Yemen  |first=Samir |last=Salama |date=September 4, 2015 |website=Gulf News |access-date=2015-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905150714/http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/tributes-paid-to-45-emirati-heroes-martyred-in-yemen-1.1578419 |archive-date=2015-09-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> During this war, Emirati special forces conducted an amphibious assault on [[Aden]], which, according to [[the Economist]], impressed observers in the West.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-05 |title=Why are Arab armed forces so ineffective? |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/05/05/why-are-arab-armed-forces-so-ineffective |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> On 4 September 2015, 52 UAE soldiers (together with 10 Saudi and 5 Bahraini soldiers) were killed when a [[Houthis|Houthi]] missile hit an ammunition dump at a military base in [[Ma'rib Governorate]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34163982 |title=Yemen crisis: UAE launches fresh Yemen attacks |website=BBC News |date=5 September 2015 |access-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907204725/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34163982 |archive-date=7 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> marking the "highest death toll on the battlefield in the country's history".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://khaleejtimes.com/nation/uae-salutes-45-martyrs |title=UAE salutes 45 soldiers martyred in Yemen |date=5 September 2015 |newspaper=[[Khaleej Times]] |access-date=2015-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906034818/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/uae-salutes-45-martyrs |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, during the [[Battle of Mukalla (2016)|Battle of Mukalla]], UAE Armed Forces liberated the [[port of Mukalla]] from [[Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula|AQAP]] forces in 36 hours after being held by AQAP for more than a year with the US defense secretary James Mattis calling the UAE led operation a model for American troops.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/us-uae-counter-terrorism-operations-on-the-rise-in-yemen-1.715962 |title=US-UAE counter-terrorism operations on the rise in Yemen |newspaper=The National |date=15 March 2018 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411030604/https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/us-uae-counter-terrorism-operations-on-the-rise-in-yemen-1.715962 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Associated Press]] in a report mentioned that UAE struck deals with AQAP militants by recruiting them against fighting the Houthis and providing them with money. The report continued to state that the United States was aware of Al-Qaeda joining ranks with UAE and has held off drone strikes against Al-Qaeda.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/uae-yemen-civil-war-al-qaeda-aden-dar-saad-gulf-saudi-arabia-conflict-a8492021.html |title=Inside the UAE's war on al-Qaeda in Yemen |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815023520/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/uae-yemen-civil-war-al-qaeda-aden-dar-saad-gulf-saudi-arabia-conflict-a8492021.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> UAE Brigadier General Musallam Al Rashidi responded to the report by stating that Al Qaeda cannot be reasoned with in the first place stating that "There's no point in negotiating with these guys."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.apnews.com/f9588898ba3b408295da9dc6219704aa |title=UAE responds to AP report on deals with al-Qaida in Yemen |date=13 August 2018 |work=Associated Press |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411030604/https://www.apnews.com/f9588898ba3b408295da9dc6219704aa |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The UAE military stated that accusations of allowing AQAP to leave with cash contradict its primary objective of depriving AQAP of its financial strength.<ref name=TIDx>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/uae-yemen-civil-war-al-qaeda-aden-dar-saad-gulf-saudi-arabia-conflict-a8492021.html |title=Inside the UAE's war on al-Qaeda in Yemen |newspaper=The Independent |last1=Trew |first1=Bel |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411030602/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/uae-yemen-civil-war-al-qaeda-aden-dar-saad-gulf-saudi-arabia-conflict-a8492021.html |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The notion of Al Qaeda joining ranks with UAE Armed Forces and the United States holding off drone strikes against Al Qaeda has been denied by [[The Pentagon]] with Colonel Robert Manning, spokesperson of the Pentagon, calling the news source "patently false".<ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/8/pentagon-denies-us-allies-bribe-recruit-al-qaeda/ |title=Pentagon denies reports of U.S. allies bribing, recruiting al Qaeda fighters in Yemen |first=Carlo |last=Muñoz |date=August 8, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Times |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829053819/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/8/pentagon-denies-us-allies-bribe-recruit-al-qaeda/ |archive-date=29 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to The Independent, AQAP activity on social media as well as the number of reported attacks conducted by it has decreased since UAE intervention.<ref name=TIDx/>

On 30 April 2018 the UAE armed forces, as part of the Saudi-led intervention in [[Yemen]], [[United Arab Emirates takeover of Socotra|landed troops]] on the island of [[Socotra]].<ref>{{cite news |title=As Saudi Arabia and the UAE struggle for control of Socotra, Yemen's island paradise may just swap one occupation for another |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/socotra-yemen-civil-war-uae-saudi-arabia-occupation-military-emirates-a8360441.html |work=The Independent |date=21 May 2018 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411030600/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/socotra-yemen-civil-war-uae-saudi-arabia-occupation-military-emirates-a8360441.html |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref> [[The Independent]] newspaper reported that UAE has politically annexed the island and built a communications network, and conducted census and provided Socotra residents with free healthcare and work permits in [[Abu Dhabi]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Socotra island: The Unesco-protected 'Jewel of Arabia' vanishing amid Yemen's civil war |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/socotra-island-yemen-civil-war-uae-military-base-unesco-protected-indian-ocean-a8331946.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2 May 2018 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411032114/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/socotra-island-yemen-civil-war-uae-military-base-unesco-protected-indian-ocean-a8331946.html |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 May 2018, a deal was brokered between UAE and Yemen for a joint military training exercise and the return of administrative control of Socotra's airport and seaport to Yemen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/yemen-pm-crisis-uae-deployment-socotra-180514155240735.html |title=Yemen PM: Crisis over UAE deployment to Socotra over |website=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |access-date=2019-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518212452/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/yemen-pm-crisis-uae-deployment-socotra-180514155240735.html |archive-date=2018-05-18 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.albawaba.com/news/yemen-uae-agree-deal-over-socotra-1131236 |title=Yemen, UAE Agree on Deal Over Socotra|website=[[Al Bawaba]] |date=14 May 2018 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516144222/https://www.albawaba.com/news/yemen-uae-agree-deal-over-socotra-1131236 |archive-date=16 May 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=As Saudi Arabia and the UAE struggle for control of Socotra, Yemen's island paradise may just swap one occupation for another |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/socotra-yemen-civil-war-uae-saudi-arabia-occupation-military-emirates-a8360441.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=21 May 2018 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411030600/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/socotra-yemen-civil-war-uae-saudi-arabia-occupation-military-emirates-a8360441.html |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2018, an offensive was carried out by UAE-led troops in [[Al Hudaydah|Hodeidah]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-interview/yemen-separatist-leader-says-hodeidah-offensive-will-not-stop-idUSKCN1M01XW |title=Yemen separatist leader says Hodeidah offensive will not stop |work=Reuters |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920145303/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-interview/yemen-separatist-leader-says-hodeidah-offensive-will-not-stop-idUSKCN1M01XW |archive-date=20 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2019, the UAE announced a partial withdrawal of its troops by reducing armed forces fighting in [[Yemen]]. An official from UAE called the move a "strategic" redeployment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/08/middleeast/uae-partial-withdrawal-yemen-intl/index.html |title=UAE partially withdrawing from Yemen, says official  |date=8 July 2019 |website=CNN |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> According to a [[Reuters]] report, the gulf nation ordered the withdrawal of its troops following security concerns, after tensions with [[Iran]]. UAE stated that it is shifting its focus from Houthi rebels to [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS]] and [[al-Qaeda]] in Yemen.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-exclusive/exclusive-uae-scales-down-military-presence-in-yemen-as-gulf-tensions-flare-idUSKCN1TT14B |title=Exclusive: UAE scales down military presence in Yemen as Gulf tensions flare |date=28 June 2019 |work=Reuters |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>

===Islamic State===
In 2015, the UAE Air Force dropped bombs on Islamic State targets in Syria. One of them was [[Mariam Al Mansouri|Major Mariyam Al Mansouri]], the first female UAE Air Force pilot.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/uae-fighter-pilot-awarded-at-un-1.74744 |title=UAE fighter pilot awarded at UN |date=15 October 2015 |work=The National}}</ref>

===Somalia===
UAE forces have been assisting the military of [[Somalia]] against [[al-Shabab (militant group)]] forces in the country. In February 2024, three UAE soldiers were killed in an attack, there.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Heather Chen |author2=Hamdi Alkhshali |author3=Alex Stambaugh |date=2024-02-10 |title=Three UAE soldiers killed in attack on military base in Somalia |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/10/africa/uae-somalia-military-base-attack-intl-hnk/index.html}}</ref>

==Expansion==
[[File:United Arab Emirates Air Force, 1227, Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (49570885887).jpg|thumb|[[UAEAF]] C-17A Globemaster III]]

In 1989, the UAE purchased [[Hwasong-5|Scud-B]] ballistic missiles from North Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/08/why-did-the-uae-purchase-weapons-from-north-korea/ |title=Why Did the UAE Purchase Weapons From North Korea? |first=Samuel |last=Ramani |website=The Diplomat |access-date=2017-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809130800/https://thediplomat.com/2017/08/why-did-the-uae-purchase-weapons-from-north-korea/ |archive-date=2017-08-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> UAE went on an expansion drive in 1995, which began with the 1992–93 acquisition of 436 [[Leclerc tank]]s and 415 [[BMP-3]] armored vehicles. It had learned from the Iranian experiences with having a single supplier for its military and has diversified its arms purchases, purchasing weaponry mainly from [[Russia]], the [[United States]], the [[UK]], [[Ukraine]], [[France]], [[Italy]] and [[Germany]]. It has also taken care to invest in the systems it has purchased and standardize them according to NATO/GCC Specifications. The equipment purchases were also followed by a program to increase manpower numbers and [[Emiratisation]] program for the Armed forces.

In 2008, UAE bought [[MIM-104 Patriot]] missiles<ref name="defenseindustrydaily.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/gulf-states-requesting-abm-capable-systems-04390/ |title=Gulf States Requesting ABM-Capable Systems |date=2 October 2014 |work=Defense Industry Daily |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016105641/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/gulf-states-requesting-abm-capable-systems-04390/ |archive-date=16 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and related radar, support services for the Patriot systems.

In 2011, during a war scare with Iran over the [[Straits of Hormuz]], UAE announced a purchase of US$3.48 billion worth of American missile systems: 2 radar systems, 96 missiles, spare parts, and training.<ref name="defenseindustrydaily.com"/> UAE was the first country to acquire the [[Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System]] (THAAD). A contract worth $1.96 billion was agreed for Lockheed Martin Corp to supply two Thaad anti-missile batteries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_bolsters_UAEs_missile_defense_in_major_arms_deal_999.html |title=US bolsters UAE's missile defense in major arms deal |website=Spacewar.com |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225141223/http://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_bolsters_UAEs_missile_defense_in_major_arms_deal_999.html |archive-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2019, [[South Africa]] blocked the supply of arms to [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Oman]], [[Algeria]], and [[Saudi Arabia]] following a dispute in the inspection clause of its agreement. According to a report by [[Reuters]], UAE and the other mentioned countries refused to allow officials from South Africa to inspect their facilities. The dispute arose as the UAE and the other countries refused the inspections, stating it violated their sovereignty. According to the industry, the inspection row puts business at risk and could cause the loss of up to 9,000 jobs at defense firms and supporting industries in South Africa. UAE began firing trials with China, India, and Serbia to replace the South African RDM as the preferred supplier of ammunition.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica-defence/rpt-south-africa-blocks-arms-sales-to-saudi-and-uae-in-inspection-row-idUSL8N28253N |title=RPT-South Africa blocks arms sales to Saudi and UAE in inspection row |access-date=25 November 2019|website=Reuters |date=25 November 2019 |last1=Winning |first1=Joe Bavier}}</ref>

==Industry==
[[File:NIMR JAIS IDEX 2017.jpg|thumb|Battle tested UAE manufactured [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]] [[Nimr (armored personnel carrier)|Nimr]] restored from [[Operation Decisive Storm]] on display in [[International Defence Exhibition|IDEX]] 2017]]

The Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding Company (ADSB) produces a range of ships and is a contractor in the [[Baynunah class corvette|Baynunah Programme]], a program to design develop, and produce 5–6 corvettes customized for operation in the waters of the Persian Gulf. It has produced ammunition, military transport vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A joint venture agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi on 28 November 2007 between Tawazun Holding LLC, an investment company established by the Offset Program Bureau (OPB), Al-Jaber Trading Establishment, part of Al-Jaber Group, and Rheinmetall Munitions Systems, to set up the Al-Burkan munition factory at the Zayed Military City in Abu Dhabi. OPB signed four Memorandums of Understanding with companies from Europe and Singapore at the Paris Eurosatory 2008 defense exhibition on June 20, Rheinmetall Group and Diehl Defence Holding of Germany, Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engg), and Thales of France.

Tawazun has partnered with Saab on radar development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/aviation/abu-dhabis-tawazun-putting-new-eyes-on-the-skies-with-radar-deal |title=Abu Dhabi's Tawazun putting new eyes on the skies with radar deal |first=April |last=Yee |work=The National |access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>
{{Clear}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |title=Britain, the UAE, and the defence of the Gulf revisited |first1=Saul |last1=Kelly |first2=Gareth |last2=Stansfield |name-list-style=amp |date=September 2013 |journal=[[International Affairs (journal)|International Affairs]] |volume=89 |number=5 |pages=1203–1219 |doi=10.1111/1468-2346.12067}} 
*{{cite book |title=Du pétrole à l'armée: les stratégies de construction de l'Etat aux Emirats arabes unis |trans-title=From Oil to Army: State-Building Strategies in the United Arab Emirates |first=Victor |last=Gervais |date=2011 |location=Paris |publisher=[[IRSEM]] |language=fr}}
*{{cite book |url=https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-evolution-of-the-armed-forces-of-the-united-arab-emirates-.php |title=The Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates |first=Athol |last=Yates |date=2020 |location=Warwick |publisher=Helion & Co. |isbn=978-1-91286-600-7}}
*{{cite book |url=https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-military-and-police-forces-of-the-gulf-states-volume-1-the-trucial-states-and-united-arab-emirates-1951-1980.php |title=The Military and Police Forces of the Gulf States - Volume 1: Trucial States and United Arab Emirates, 1951-1980 |first1=Athol |last1=Yates |first2=Cliff |last2=Lord |name-list-style=amp |date=2019 |location=Warwick |publisher=Helion & Co. |isbn=978-1-91239-061-8}}
*{{cite book |url=https://www.c-pubs.com.au/shop/asrc-security-resilience-imprint/the-naval-force-of-abu-dhabi-1967-1976/ |title=The Naval Forces of Abu Dhabi 1967-1976 |first1=Athol |last1=Yates |first2=Cliff |last2=Lord |name-list-style=amp  |date=2019 |location=Australia |publisher=C-Pubs |isbn=978-0-9874332-9-9}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of the United Arab Emirates}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071117143247/http://www.government.ae/gov/en/gov/federal/mod.jsp UAE Ministry of Defence]

{{CIA World Factbook|year=2003}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{Military of the Arab world}}
{{United Arab Emirates topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:United Arab Emirates military}}
[[Category:Military of the United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates]]