| United Arab Emirates Army | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971 |
| Country | |
| Garrison/HQ | Abu Dhabi |
As part of the military of the United Arab Emirates the United Arab Emirates Ground Force is responsible for land operations.
Contents |
In 1971 the Trucial Oman Scouts were renamed Union Defence Force (U.D.F.) upon the formation of United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and consisted of 2,500 regular military personnel. In May 1976 the Union Defence Force unified its military forces of the various U.A.E states and they then lost their unit's individual identity.
In 1975 had 3,250 regular military personnel organised into 6 Mobile Squadrons, an Air Detachment with 7 helicopters, and was equipped with Scorpion Light Tanks, Ferret Armoured Cars, Land Rovers, eight 81 mm Mortars, and two Dhows.
The Union Defense Force were used on two occasions in Sharjah Emirate.
In January 1972 during an attempted coup d'etat in which 18 armed supporters of the former ruler of Sharjah, who actually included the former ruler, Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan (who ruled from 1951 until deposed by British in 1965), attacked and seized the palace. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammad el Qassim, ruler since 1965, was killed along with one of his bodyguards in the process. The palace was then surrounded by Sharjah soldiers and troops of the Union Defensc Force. Several UDF troops were wounded, including a British Captain, before the rebels surrendered next morning. Sheikh Saqr was then exiled.
In February 1972 following a brief Border War between armed Bedu tribesmen from both Sharjah Emirate, and Fujairah Emirate, over a disputed area of land which covered a quarter of an acre and included water wells and date palm trees. 22 people were killed and another 12 were wounded before UDF troops were able to impose a ceasefire.
During the Persian Gulf War, UAE troops, reportedly numbering several hundred, participated in the conflict as part of the GCC Peninsula Shield force that advanced into the city of Kuwait. United States aircraft bombed Iraqi positions from the UAE, and United States ships operated out of UAE ports. The UAE Air Force also carried out strikes against Iraqi forces. A total of six UAE combat deaths were reported as a result of the fighting.
MBT
Light Tank
Tracked APCs
Wheeled APCs
Artillery
Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Finnish manufacturer Patria has announced the sale of their AMV 8x8 vehicle to the United Arab Emirates. The size of the order and delivery schedule have not been made public.
Ministry of Defence Web Site Arabic and English