United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة) is a federation of small Arab states, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah. These small sheikhdoms were known collectively as the Trucial States until 1971, each of which maintained its own military forces. These forces were combined into the Union Defence Force (UDF) which is the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates and includes the Army, Air Force, Navy and Federal Police. Although all emirates contribute personnel and finances to support the UDF, three of these states also still maintain their own small regional military commands. These are the Abu Dhabi Defence Force, Dubai Defence Force, and Ras al-Khaimah Defence Force.