Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan performed a big function in remodeling the UAE Armed Forces into the trendy preventing pressure that it’s right this moment. He was intimately concerned in constructing the big and trendy military, air pressure and navy, whose main process is defending the UAE nation whereas taking part in an efficient function in varied regional peace-keeping duties.
These dynamic twenty first century armed forces had began small. Below British tutelage, the models of the Trucial Oman Scouts had been the armed forces of the area, with a number of hundred Emirati troopers and British officers. This ultimately developed into the Abu Dhabi Defence Drive.
Sheikh Khalifa graduated from the British navy academy at Sandhurst. When he was nominated Crown Prince in February 1969, he was additionally appointed head of Abu Dhabi Defence. Considered one of his foremost duties in that function was build up the Abu Dhabi Defence Drive, which quickly turned the center of the UAE Armed Forces after the formation of the UAE in 1971 when it included 2,500 common navy personnel.
Unified UAE forces
In 1976, the armed forces of the varied emirates had been unified into the UAE Armed Forces, by which era, the Abu Dhabi forces included 3,250 common navy personnel, seven helicopters and Scorpion Gentle Tanks and Ferret Armoured Automobiles. Sheikh Khalifa was appointed Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces whereas his father Sheikh Zayed was the Supreme Commander.
On his appointment as Deputy Supreme Commander, Sheikh Khalifa mentioned: “Earlier than unification of the Armed Forces in 1976, the armed forces within the UAE had been quite a lot of small armies with one objective, however unbiased organisation and coaching. This weakened the forces and blocked nearer ties amongst officers and troopers. My brother officers observed this with ache and this prompted us to work rapidly to take away the flaw by unifying the armed forces.”
Picture Credit score: Gulf News Archives
Sheikh Khalifa’s speech was noticeable for each his give attention to the federal spirit and his readiness to implement sensible modifications. As Deputy Supreme Commander, Sheikh Khalifa performed an necessary function in forming the final command throughout your complete UAE Armed Forces and making ready the legal guidelines and guidelines that govern the duties of the navy. He centered on reorganising the instructions within the navy zones in cooperation with the Chief of Employees and zone commanders. He additionally assigned workers to assist zone commanders apply the brand new laws and merge the armed forces from totally different emirates.
Emirati duty
Whereas the brand new Arab nation was prepared to hunt assist from different Arab states with older histories, Sheikh Khalifa was decided that Emiratis had been the core of the armed forces, which remained the core of his imaginative and prescient for the remainder of his life and has develop into a basic criterion for the Armed Forces.
“Our objective will all the time be to provide the nationwide cadre the chance to shoulder this duty,” he mentioned. “Our coaching institutes, particularly the Zayed bin Sultan Academy, will contribute to coaching the nationwide cadre and making ready them for management.”
Sheikh Khalifa additionally famous that: “The UAE is eager that its armed forces are on par with developments within the navy sphere elsewhere on the planet, particularly by way of planning, organisation, weaponry and coaching. We will proceed to attempt for this in order that our armed forces attain the utmost effectivity doable.”
Since these early days, Sheikh Khalifa guided the event of the UAE Armed Forces. He was the visitor of honour at many navy graduations the place he spoke freely to younger troopers and officers of their obligations to the nation and folks.
Missions
Throughout one such handle, Sheikh Khalifa mentioned: “On this nice event, I congratulate every and everybody for the dedication and patriotism you will have proven whereas serving your nation. As you all know, the UAE Armed Forces is a federal establishment of which we’re all pleased with. Suffice to say it’s this military that has strengthened and maintained, not solely our federation, but additionally our nationwide achievements in varied fields.”
The UAE Armed Forces have undertaken varied troublesome and necessary missions along with their core process of defending the UAE’s borders. They’ve been energetic members within the Gulf Cooperation Council’s common Desert Defend coaching workout routines. They participated within the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 as a part of Operation Desert Storm.
They’ve additionally fought in Afghanistan as a part of the Nato-ISAF motion towards Al Qaida. In 2011, they had been in motion in Libya and in a dedication that began in 2014, they proceed to struggle Daesh in Iraq.
The UAE Armed Forces have additionally been energetic in serving to nations throughout instances of catastrophe, each pure and man-made. These embrace organising camps and hospitals for refugees created by the floods in Pakistan in 2012 (and once more in 2014), in addition to working an enormous camp for Muslim Kosovars fleeing Serbian militias in the course of the Balkan civil conflict in 1999. On such missions, Sheikh Khalifa noticed that the UAE Armed Forces proved to be one of the best representatives of the UAE’s values and tradition. “Their noble mission has gained the hearts and minds of many individuals all over the world,” he mentioned.
Nationwide service
In 2014, Sheikh Khalifa took the dramatic step of instituting obligatory navy service for all younger Emirati males — voluntary for girls — in a transfer designed not solely to bolster the nation’s navy preparedness, but additionally to spice up patriotism and nationwide id in younger Emiratis. “The issuing of the regulation comes with the targets of affirming the instilling of the values of loyalty, affiliation and sacrifice within the souls of the sons of homeland,” WAM famous.
Nationwide service on the time included coaching, navy workout routines and lectures. The primary males reported for service in August, main the way in which for all males between the ages of 18 and 30, in good well being, to enroll. Males who’ve a highschool diploma or its equal serve 9 months whereas those that wouldn’t have a highschool diploma serve two years. Participation for girls, who can solely serve for 9 months, is optionally available and requires the approval of their authorized guardians. Sheikh Khalifa’s decree on nationwide service is an enduring tribute to his lifetime of devotion to the UAE Armed Forces.
