UAE and US forces lauch joint military exercise in United States for first time.

In February and March 2023, the armed forces of the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) conducted a joint exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Fort Johnson, Louisiana. This event marked a historic moment as it was the first time a unit from the UAE, the 11th Mountain Battalion, participated in training on U.S. soil, underscoring the commitment of both countries to regional security and military readiness.
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UAE troops conduct joint military exercises in United States  (Picture source: US DoD)

The 150 Emirati mountain soldiers arrived in the United States with their equipment aboard the United Arab Emirates Air Force C-17s. They spent a week acclimatizing to the forested terrain of Louisiana, a dramatic shift from the deserts and mountains of their homeland.

The ability to synchronize and execute a mission in support of an American battalion demonstrated the level of interoperability between UAE and American forces, a priority for the American forces in the Middle East. The UAE troops did not arrive unprepared: A team of 12 American trainers from the 3rd SFAB began preparing the Emirati soldiers for their visit to the United States as early as 2022.

After two years of simultaneously advising combat forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 3rd SFAB transitioned to its current model of partnering with ground forces across the Middle East, establishing mutually beneficial partnerships in Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, the UAE has consistently maintained close relations with the United States, manifested through diplomatic, economic, and military exchanges. Diplomatic relations were officially established in 1972. Economically, trade between the two nations has flourished, reaching $23.03 billion in 2021, making the United States the UAE's third-largest trading partner, after China and India. Militarily, the Emiratis have fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2019, a renewed defense agreement was signed, marking, according to the U.S. Department of State, a significant milestone that reflects their long-standing joint commitment to combating terrorism. The United States is also the UAE's primary provider of security and military equipment.

Key military equipment includes tactical armored vehicles such as the M-ATV and M1114 and MRAP vehicles like the Navistar MaxxPro (3375 units) and the BAE Caiman (1150 units). Artillery and rocket systems include the M109 A3 SPG self-propelled howitzer (85 units) and the M142 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system (32 units). Additionally, the UAE has acquired the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, with 2 batteries and 96 missiles, highlighting their commitment to robust air defense.

In aviation, 2007 was a landmark year for the UAE Air Force, completing deliveries of 80 F-16E/F Block 60 "Desert Falcons," one of the most significant procurement programs. These acquisitions, valued at $6.4 billion for the F-16s, were signed in March 2000 with Lockheed Martin, and enhancements to the Mirage 2000-9 underscore the UAE's investment in multi-role aerial capability. These advanced fighter jets, along with UH-60M helicopters (26 units) equipped with AGM-114N Hellfire II missiles, and 30 AH-64A Apache combat helicopters upgraded to the AH-64D Longbow standard, demonstrate the UAE Air Force's ongoing modernization.