09 May UAE Defence Minister stresses that armed forces are fully prepared to confront all security threats
The UAE has emphasised the strength of its armed forces and its readiness to confront any security threats, should they present themselves.
The statement came from Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for Defence Affairs. He explained that such preparedness is only possible thanks to the support and directives of the wise leadership in the UAE. He made reference to President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
In an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Bowardi said the security challenges imposed by the latest developments in the region and the world require greater flexibility in expanding the options for armament sources. He said: “We will not hesitate to take necessary measures to protect our national interests.”
He added: “The option of strengthening the local defence industry is no longer a luxury, but rather a strategic choice necessitated by the data that govern the global scene.
“The UAE armed forces will continue its contribution to enhancing regional and global security through international alliances aimed at combating terrorism and extremism, under the umbrella of international legitimacy and consensus.”
As global security is looked at more closely in recent months, the minister stressed that the UAE had armed forces ready and prepared to handle any security threats targeted at the country. He noted that recent threats were no coincidence, but rather a result of what he described as “international negligence” in addressing security breaches caused by ideological militias in more than one country in the region dating back to the 1980s.
In his interview with WAM, Al Bowardi continued: “There is no doubt that the geopolitical scene in the Middle East has been the most entangled and complex over the past five decades, which required keeping pace and preparation. This is what inspired the UAE leadership’s keenness on building armed forces capable of defending the country with high efficiency, protecting its security, interests and gains, as well as supporting efforts to maintain regional and global security.
“Our armed forces are fully prepared and ready to defend the UAE, protect it from various threats and preserve its security, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”
Al Bowardi further explained that the UAE defence industries sector has become one of the most promising strategic sectors. He added that the UAE has achieved great successes in this regard, which allowed it to jump up the ranks becoming the 25th globally.