Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, extended his congratulations to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Rulers of the Emirates, and the Emirati people on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces.
“Our Armed Forces remain the nation’s shield and strength, safeguarding sovereignty, preserving our achievements, and advancing our ambitions,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote in a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday.
The milestone anniversary — marking five decades since the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan unified the armed forces under a single command and flag on May 6, 1976 — carries particular weight this year. The UAE Armed Forces have been on high operational alert following a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks in recent days, successfully intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones targeting the country. Defence officials described the interceptions as an unprecedented achievement in modern military history, with reports indicating that more than 85 percent of Iran’s drone strikes were thwarted by EDGE defence systems.
President Sheikh Mohamed, marking the golden jubilee in a separate address, praised the military’s response to the attacks as a “national epic,” affirming that the UAE “will not compromise on protecting its sovereignty.” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid echoed the sentiment, calling the armed forces “the shield of the homeland, its sword, its fortress, its sovereignty and security.”
The anniversary has also sparked a wave of national pride online, with “Long Live UAE” trending on X as citizens and residents paid tribute to the men and women serving in uniform.
