Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, on Friday paid tribute to the UAE's military prowess during a visit to the National Guard headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Hamdan reflected on the crucial role played by Armed Forces personnel in bolstering national security and stressed the importance of advancing their expertise.
The Dubai Crown Prince was welcomed by Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Lt Gen Issa Al Mazrouei, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; Maj Gen Saleh Al Ameri, Commander of the National Guard, and senior officers.
Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the work of the National Guard and witnessed a field demonstration.
At the end of the visit, Sheikh Hamdan praised the organisation for its effort to support community safety and said its successes were testament to the UAE leadership's commitment to investing and training in its military forces.
The National Guard operates with the support of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.
It serves to bolster border security on land and at sea as well as providing assistance in search and rescue operations across the Emirates and abroad.
In May, the National Guard joined forces with the National Search and Rescue Centre and the UAE Coast Guard to rescue three injured seafarers from a sinking cargo ship in the country's waters.
The three – Asian citizens according to the authorities – were taken to safety on rescue boats.
In September, the National Guard formed part of a UAE task force sent to Afghanistan to aid relief efforts following an earthquake which killed more than 2,000 people.
