Under the esteemed patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, attended the Union Fortress 10 military parade at Al Ain International Airport. The event, organized by the UAE Ministry of Defence, was held under the theme “Pride and Loyalty, Pledge and Allegiance, Security and Prosperity.”
In his remarks, His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed praised the UAE Armed Forces for their advanced capabilities, cutting-edge equipment, and highly skilled personnel, underscoring their crucial role in ensuring the nation’s continued development and progress. He reaffirmed the significance of the UAE Armed Forces as the shield of the nation, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country’s accomplishments.
His Highness further highlighted the pivotal role of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in shaping the military into a formidable force, one that exemplifies excellence in organization, operational readiness, and personnel development. Under His Highness Sheikh Mohamed’s leadership, the UAE Armed Forces have made substantial strides, becoming a model of modern military prowess and a trusted protector of the nation’s security and prosperity.
The Union Fortress 10 military parade was attended by prominent figures, including His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination. Other distinguished guests included senior ministers, Sheikhs, and high-ranking officials.
Among the attendees were His Excellency Lieutenant General Engineer Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, along with senior officers from the armed forces and the Ministry of Interior.
The Union Fortress 10 event showcased an impressive display of military coordination and readiness, with joint exercises involving various units of the armed forces. Participants included the UAE Land Forces, Air Force, Air Defence, Presidential Guard, Joint Aviation Command, National Guard, and Abu Dhabi Police. The event highlighted the UAE’s military capabilities through a series of field maneuvers, electronic warfare operations, and high-intensity combat scenarios, demonstrating the forces’ rapid-response capabilities and operational excellence.
Notable demonstrations included rapid intervention missions, high-altitude military parachuting, explosive ordnance disposal using robots, and simulated airstrikes by F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Ground operations featured the advanced Rabdan amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and the G6 self-propelled howitzer. Aerial support was provided by heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook helicopters, Black Hawk close air support helicopters, and Apache attack helicopters, while Abu Dhabi Police units executed raids as part of the exercise.
The Union Fortress parade, which began in March 2017 along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, has since traveled across the UAE, with each edition held in a different emirate. Past locations have included Sharjah (2017), Al Ain (2018), Fujairah (2018), Ajman (2019), Ras Al Khaimah (2019), Umm Al Quwain (2020), Expo 2020 Dubai (2022), and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi (2023). The 10th edition of the parade marks its return to Al Ain, underscoring the nation’s continued commitment to showcasing the strength and readiness of its armed forces.
