Leadership Conference Program

"Defence in Resilient Nations, Beyond 2020

16 November 2020, 11 AM GST”

About the Leadership Conference

The Leadership Conference program is an initiative of

the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence (MOD) to

contribute to national and international debate and

discourse on contemporary national and

international security challenges.

Click here to learn more

The Late

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
Al Nahyan

The UAE has had to protect its wealth of valuable natural
resources from the very first moment of its creation in 1971. The
protection of the nascent nation from the dangers it faces is of
the strategic vision and skill of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al
Nahyan that enabled him to thwart the maneuvers of his
potential enemies.
View More
The Late

His Highness Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed

The high competency and readiness of our armed forces is the
product of a comprehensive national strategic vision that enabled
our nation, with the help of Allah, to build a deterrent force with
trained young men equipped with the latest munitions, systems
and technologies.

View More
President of the UAE

His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed

The UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, May God protect him,
strongly believes that dealing with the challenges of our time and
the total changes and variables taking place in the region
requires the existence of specialized security and military
institutions that work in harmony and integrity. Institutions that
are capable of assessing the nature of developments and threats,
and provide strategic insights and assessments that anticipate
and respond to various risks.

View More
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence

Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum

Based on its role in preparing the general policy of defending the
homeland, Ministry of Defense is performing a strategic and
pivotal task in the national security system in the UAE. Ministry of
Defense is establishing policies, developing strategies and
building national talents capable of consolidating our self-
defense capabilities.

View More
Minister of State for Defense

Mohammed Ahmed
Al Bowardi

People have always protected themselves against the dangers
that threaten them. History has shown over the time that nations
who have survived and continued to exist are those who have
built the factors of force to defend themselves. Thus, the vision of
the Ministry of Defense in the United Arab Emirates is based on
being ”a proactive institution that ensures the UAE national
defence, sovereignty and victory against evolving threats to the
nation”.

View More

Media Center

Discover our latest news, publications, videos and much more

News Photos Videos

Since the unification decision, the Ministry of Defense has achieved many successes and pioneer steps in many forums. The Ministry of Defense is looking forward to opening new horizons for its strategic vision and its public policy in an efficient way through which it can keep pace with the global boom witnessed by the whole world.

View All

The Ministry of Defence, represented by the Joint Command and Staff College (JCSC ), hosted, at the Capital Abu Dhabi

Ahmed bin Tahnoun Attends the Graduation of Al Nokhba Program of the National Service at Khalifa University

The Ministry of Defence Celebrates the Graduation of a Number of Specialized National Service Courses

Graduation ceremony of the 4 th War Course at the Joint Command and Staff College

H.E. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, conducted a phone conversation with H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al- Sabah, Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense

Under the patronage of the UAE President Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends second group wedding for Ministry of Defence employees

Discover Our Armed Forces

Land Forces

On March 5, 1989, the Land Forces Command was established and located in Zayed Military City in Abu Dhabi. It includes mechanized infantry brigades, armored vehicles, artillery, field engineering, signal and technical and administrative support units. The land force is considered one of the oldest formations in the armed forces.

Navy Forces

In April 1967, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, May God bless his soul, ordered the establishment of the sea wing of the Abu Dhabi Defense Force, with command position at the current location of the Abu Dhabi Navy . They began working with patrol boats donated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. Later, 40-foot patrol boats and 56-foot patrol boats, followed by 110-foot armed boats joined the force.

Air Forces

The Air Force was established on May 13, 1968 as Air Wing of the Abu Dhabi Defense Force, with headquarters located at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi. The force included the Hawker Hunter Squadron, Caribou, Islander Cargo aircraft squadron, and Helicopter Bell 205. In January 1974, the Air Defense Command was formed and armed with Anti- aircraft gun 20 mm, and Rapier missile battery.

Wahat Al Karamah “Oasis of Dignity”

An Oasis of Sacrifice

This national landmark was established to reflect the sacrifices of the children of the state, and tell stories of pride and dignity and honor of the martyrs’ championship

National Services of the UAE

A Model for the Future Generations

“The defense of the Union is a sacred duty that every citizen should undertake and the performance of military service is an honor for all citizens.