UAE celebrates unity and strength with largest military parade in history

The United Arab Emirates pulled out all the stops this National Day, celebrating with what organizers hailed as the largest military parade in the country’s history.

The dazzling display not only commemorated the 53rd anniversary of the UAE's formation but also marked the 10th anniversary of the country’s groundbreaking military service law, Caliber.Az reports, citing TASS.

Held in the Al Samih area — straddling the borders of Abu Dhabi and Dubai — the parade was a fitting tribute to the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who forged the union of the emirates back in 1968.

The event was hosted by UAE Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with key figures like Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the nation’s Defence Minister, also in attendance.

The airshow was the highlight, with an impressive lineup of F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-130 Hercules military transport planes, as well as Apache AH-64 and Chinook CH-47C helicopters soaring above. A total of 23,000 servicemen and 2,000 pieces of military equipment participated in the parade, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable celebration.

Colonel Jamal Al Balushi, spokesman for the UAE Armed Forces, called the parade “a monumental event,” emphasising the months of preparation that went into it. The timing, he said, was deliberate: “This parade underscores the critical importance of military service for strengthening our defence capabilities,” he told TASS. He also pointed out the substantial progress made over the past decade, especially in training reservists and enhancing the overall readiness of the armed forces.

In 2014, the UAE passed the National Military Service Law, which mandates military service for all Emirati men between the ages of 17 and 30, depending on their education. Women may also serve voluntarily, with a service period capped at 11 months.

National Day itself is a cornerstone of Emirati identity, honouring the creation of a unified state on December 2, 1971. That day, Sheikh Zayed united the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm al-Quwain, later joined by Ras al-Khaimah. Before the union, the emirates were part of Treaty Oman, a British protectorate dating back to the 19th century.

By Tamilla Hasanova