UAE Army

The United Arab Emirates conjures up images of glittering skyscrapers, luxurious cars and endless deserts. But behind the facade of glamour and wealth lies a strong foundation - the UAE Armed Forces, which over the past decade have become one of the most modern armies in the Middle East. Not just on paper, but in practice.

Today we take a look at the heart of this structure: who is conscripted, how it works, and why the UAE Armed Forces is not just an army, but the calling card of a modern, ambitious country.

Conscription: who joins the army?

In 2014, the UAE introduced compulsory military service for all male citizens over the age of 17. For a country populated mainly by expatriates (nationals make up only about 10% of the population!), this was a serious step towards strengthening national identity and security.

Who is required to serve:

1. Male citizens of the UAE between the ages of 17 and 30 (although in practice most are called up before the age of 24).
2. Service is compulsory even for the sons of sheikhs - no exceptions!
3. Women can serve voluntarily, and it must be said that many do so enthusiastically.

The length of service depends on the level of education:

1. Without a diploma - 16 months
2. With a diploma (high school and university graduates) - 11 months
3. For female volunteers - also 11 months

In case of emergency or mobilisation, the terms may be extended.

Army structure: how does the service work?

The official name is the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The first stage of service is basic training, which lasts three months. This is where recruits learn:

1. Military discipline and tactics
2. Physical training (push-ups, chin-ups, running - all the classics)
3. Drill and marksmanship training
4. Use of modern weapons and equipment
5. The basics of desert survival

After basic training, soldiers are assigned to different military units:

1. Army
2. Air Force
3. The navy
4. Guard (Presidential and Special)
5. Intelligence and Cyber Security

Some particularly talented recruits may be accepted into elite units or additional courses such as drone or cyber warfare. Academies and training centres should also be mentioned. For example, the Rabdan Academy in Abu Dhabi is an elite educational institution that trains military personnel, police officers, cyber specialists and security experts. The UAE also has military partnership programmes with the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Education, discipline and new technologies are the three pillars of the UAE Armed Forces' success.

Serving in the UAE is not a walk in the park in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Despite their comfortable uniforms and high-quality equipment, soldiers work really hard. They get up at 5:30 a.m., do drills, attend classes, march, shoot and train in the heat. But there is no complaining. And the motivation is strong:

1. Good pay, even for recruits
2. Bonuses after service - priority in government jobs, state-funded education, allowances
3. Patriotic status - those who have served in the army enjoy respect and prestige

Breathtaking technology

The UAE Armed Forces are a shining example of hybrid military power combined with diplomacy and money. Despite its modest territory and population, the UAE has managed to create an army that commands the respect of even major powers. Let's start with the fact that the Emirati armed forces are not just soldiers in sandy uniforms, but a real military enterprise with a business approach. Over the past 30 years, the country has invested billions of dollars in weapons, infrastructure, personnel training and, most importantly, military technology.

If you think the UAE army is just a few tanks in the desert, you are sorely mistaken. The country is spending huge sums to acquire the most advanced weapons systems:

1. F-16E/F Desert Falcon - a modification of the American fighter jet adapted to the Emirates' climate.
2. Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD are anti-missile systems that even some of the UAE's allies do not have.
3. Drones are manufactured both abroad and in the EDGE Group's own military factory, which will be inaugurated in 2019.

All this fits into the strategy of "we are not numbers, we are capabilities". And money, of course.

Participation in foreign operations

The UAE is one of the few countries in the region that actively participates in international conflicts and missions. Here are just a few examples:

1. Yemen is one of the largest and most controversial operations in recent years. The Emirates not only sent troops, but also created local units to carry out counter-terrorism operations.
2. Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya - yes, the UAE flag has flown there too. Admittedly, not always on the front pages of the newspapers.

The Emirati military acts quickly, accurately and often in cooperation with the United States, France and Saudi Arabia. It also uses private military companies, in the best 21st-century tradition.

Why is the UAE Armed Forces a force to be reckoned with?

Because it is a force of a new era. It is not huge in terms of numbers, but it is mobile, technologically advanced and well equipped. It does not fight wars in the old way, but introduces innovations that others are only beginning to test. Most importantly, it has become a foreign policy tool for a country that dreams of being more than an oil power. The UAE Armed Forces truly deserve respect: they have managed to turn a desert landscape into a springboard for modernisation, and military service into a prestigious and important stage in the lives of young citizens.

The UAE understands that money alone is not enough to be a serious player on the world stage. You need an army - a modern, motivated and nationally focused one. Conscription solves several problems at once:

1. It creates a combat-ready reserve. In the event of a conflict, the UAE has trained citizens ready to take up arms.
2. National unity. The service brings together young people from different emirates and social classes.
3. Discipline and maturity. Many parents say their children 'came back from the army as different people' - responsible, focused and respectful of work.

Serving in the UAE Army is not just a duty, it is a contribution to the future of the country. Here, young citizens learn not only how to march, but also how to think, act and appreciate their country. It is a system where there is no room for negligence, but there is room for ambition, development and national pride.