The UAE Armed Forces showcased their combat expertise during the ‘Union Fortress 10’ military parade, held in Al Ain’s garden city on Friday.
This grand event was a thrilling display of the nation’s defense capabilities, captivating a massive audience at a 26,000-capacity arena located at Al Ain International Airport.
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, attended the event organized by the Ministry of Defence.
The ‘Union Fortress 10,’ themed Pride and Loyalty, Pledge and Allegiance, Security and Prosperity, highlighted the strength and unity of the armed forces. The event included joint military displays from various formations and units, showcasing field maneuvers and scenarios that reflected the advanced combat skills of the UAE Armed Forces.
Participating Units and Highlights
The military parade featured key units such as the Land Forces, Air Force and Air Defence, Presidential Guard, Joint Aviation Command, National Guard, and Abu Dhabi Police.
Supporting teams from the Ministry of Defence also played an important role. Together, they demonstrated their exceptional readiness and ability to handle rapid intervention missions, ensuring the UAE’s security and defense.
Special features included electronic warfare, rapid intervention operations, police raids, high-altitude parachuting, and robotic explosive ordnance disposal. These scenarios emphasized the UAE’s advanced defense technology and operational efficiency.
Cutting-Edge Equipment on Display
The event also showcased state-of-the-art military equipment like the Rabdan amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and the G6 self-propelled howitzer.
Aerial demonstrations included heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook helicopters, Black Hawk helicopters for close air support, Apache attack helicopters, and simulated airstrikes by F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
Union Fortress Parade’s Journey
The Union Fortress parade began in March 2017 on Abu Dhabi Corniche and has since traveled across the emirates. Its second edition took place in Sharjah in November 2017, followed by Al Ain in February 2018.
Other locations included Fujairah in November 2018, Ajman in March 2019, Ras Al Khaimah in November 2019, and Umm Al Quwain in February 2020. The event also featured at Expo 2020 Dubai in March 2022 and Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in November 2023. This 10th edition marked the return of the event to Al Ain, reflecting its strong connection to the region.
