My dear compatriot members of the UAE Armed Forces,

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you,

I salute you on the day of our Armed Forces. I salute you for your gallantry, your profound loyalty, your sincere patriotism and your preparedness to perform your sacred mission of safeguarding sovereignty and strengthening stability and security of our country. I salute your spirit of selflessness, your willingness to sacrifice and your resolve to stand out and to adapt to the latest in the armament, technology, organisation, management and training.

Dear officers and soldiers,

As we celebrate the 38th anniversary of the decision to unify our Armed Forces, we also celebrate our national achievements in all fields. The building of our Armed Forces is a living example of the wisdom and vision of the founding fathers generation and the empowerment generation. The seeds of development planted by the nation builder and leader the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan are bearing fruits today in the form of schools, factories, hospitals, infrastructures and importantly, messages of peace and commitment to the common destiny we share with the whole world.

Dear officers and soldiers,

This year's celebration has a special significance as we prepare to implement the compulsory military service for our male youth, which will be optional for women.

For years, the compulsory military service programme was high on our national action agenda. It was also evident through the 'Bayariq' educational programme in the secondary schools which covered military education, police sciences and cognitive skills. We relied on our experience and on the right time for the implementation of the decision which was well received by all people of the UAE. The phrase 'Absher ya Watan' or 'Hail the motherland' which went viral among the youth of the country was yet another proof of our mature community and of the belief among the citizens that serving one's country is an honour and defending one's country is a moral commitment for all citizens.

I am confident that our youth will passionately race to enlist to demonstrate their love to their country and their allegiance to the leaders. They will join the Armed Forces to acquire new skills that will add their knowledge, shape their character, enhance their self-confidence and increase their stamina for; military service is a school for bravery, discipline, responsibility, decision making, time management and teamwork.

Dear officers and soldiers,

Modernisation of the Armed Forces has always factored in our approach for national action. The military service programme will help strengthen the structure and capabilities of our Armed Forces as we continue to sustain our principles for peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness.

I am particularly proud that our Armed Forces has become a key incubator for development and progress in building capabilities and in laying the foundation for advanced defence manufacturing industries, paving the way for technology transfer and eventually, for the Emiratisation of technology, promoting Research and Development, contributing to economic diversification drive and accelerating the transition from conventional to knowledge-based economy.

The 1976 dream of the founding father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of an Emirati defence industry is coming true under the leadership of President and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Our defence industry has come a long way, by meeting the needs of our Armed Forces and even exporting to brotherly and friendly countries. Today, we manufacture ships, military vehicles, missiles, ammunitions, UAVs, light arms, aerospace components and weapon systems.

This success in defence manufacturing complements our success in other areas of developments and adds to our capabilities. The history has always taught us that Armed Forces play a pioneering role in progress and that scientific research, innovation, discovery and inventions are usually triggered by national defence necessities. Examples here include computer, information technology, internet, satellites, fire optics, jet fighters, submarines and nuclear energy.

As we witness the emergence of home-grown advanced defence industries, we must extend thanks to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who leads the Armed Forces modernisation drive and to His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces who closely follows up implementation of manufacturing and Emirati capability building strategies and plans. I would like also to thank our sons and daughters engaged in managing and operating national manufacturing facilities.

Dear officers and soldiers,

You and all sons and daughters of the UAE have been tested by the time, events and challenges and you overcame the challenges by remaining loyal to your leadership and by working hard to serve your country. With you, we have succeeded in presenting a shining example, emanating from our belief that they key to good governance is to seek to serve the interest of the people to ensure their prosperity and happiness and to realize security, stability and safety of our country and its ability to confront threats and to deal with the worst.

The strong bond of trust between the leaders and citizens has enabled us to move along the path of comprehensive development, relying on the vision, strategies, values, heritage and openness to changes.

Dear officers and soldiers,

I urge you and all Emiratis to strengthen your determination and to boost your positive energy to reach the top as the country's strengths is measure by its people who are the real power behind achievements.

You know that the only option for us is to continue adding to our achievements and of course, we have the right to be proud of what we have accomplished so far, and to be happy that country is leading the ranks in all human and economic development and competitiveness indicators. We should always bear in mind that what we have accomplished is the past and the real value is on what we can do today and tomorrow because of the fact that life does not stop and that he who is lazy, hesitant, scared and submissive gets left behind. On the other hand, life rewards the ambitious, hard workers, and those who are driven by initiative and excellence.

Dear officers and soldiers,

Tomorrow is a new day with new tasks, new challenges and new dreams. We will do what we need to do. We will march to the future using our own Emirati recipe. This recipe of success had helped us navigating our ship safely in storms and high waves, and success we shall achieve as we are blessed with a competent skipper. Our vision is clear, our objectives are set, our potentials are limitless and our youth are capable. We will write new bright pages in the story of our country and our nation. Inspired by the teachings of the holy Quran and of our Prophet Mohammed, Peace Be Upon Him we will walk forward and write our history.

Peace be upon you