United Arab Emirates

摘要

As head and president of the federation of sheikdoms, the ruler of Abu Dhabi is the de facto commander in chief of the UAE armed forces. Since 1976, the various Emirati defense forces have been brought under a unified command and the armed forces of various emirates merged into the Union Defense Force. Dubai still maintains independent forces (some 15,000-strong), as do the other emirates to lesser degrees. The Supreme Defense Council makes the decisions related to the military's organization, equipment, and training. The council's members include the president, the deputy president, the prime minister, four ministers (defense, foreign affairs, finance, and interior), the deputy supreme commander, and the chief of staff. The deputy supreme commander oversees the implementation of the council's decisions. The UAE Armed Forces General Headquarters is based in Abu Dhabi, the federal capital, while the Ministry of Defense (largely a political entity with limited administrative responsibilities) is headquartered in Dubai. A Presidential Guard has been established and consists of selected Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Forces units under a unified command. The force is outside the normal organizations of the armed forces and answers directly to Prince General Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE. Detailed data about the Presidential Guard's structure, equipment, and missions are not provided; however, it is assumed to be a rapid-reaction strike force.