The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a long-standing partnership that includes weapon sales and military aid from the United States, plus annual training for UAE military personnel.

The partnership between the two nations spans decades and covers various facets of defense and security.

Throughout, the United States has been steadfast in its support of the UAE military -- in infrastructure, weapons, equipment and training.

The annual training and education exchange brings 600 to 800 Emirati military personnel to train in the United States each year.

For its part, the UAE hosts up to 3,500 US personnel, mainly at Al Dhafra Air Base. The base holds the Gulf Air Warfare Center -- a regional air and missile defense training hub jointly operated by the UAE and the United States.

The UAE's ports are also critical for the US Navy, as they collectively host more of its ships than any other port outside the United States.

A history of alliance

The roots of collaboration with the United States go back to the UAE's early years as a nation.

The United States was one of the first countries to establish formal diplomatic ties with the UAE in 1972, a year after its establishment as a country.

The relationship between the two countries has grown only since.

They have signed multiple defense cooperation agreements over the years, including a 1987 General Security of Military Information Agreement, a 2006 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement and a 2019 Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Over the years, the agreements have facilitated joint training exercises and the transfer of advanced weapon systems.

In 2017, the two nations revised and expanded their defense agreement, underscoring their commitment to adapt to evolving security challenges.

The updated Defense Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force on May 24, 2019, was an avenue to further enhance coordination, interoperability and joint operations, according to an analysis from the Carnegie Middle East Center.

It underscored the two nations' long-standing collaboration in defeating terrorist groups, securing regional stability and working to stop threats against their common interests, including terrorist financing.

The UAE's active participation in coalition counter-terrorism, regional stabilization, and peacekeeping missions has further emphasized the depth of its alliance with the United States.

The UAE is one of three countries and the only Arab nation to participate with the United States in six coalition actions over the last 30 years.

The United States has also worked to support a regional missile defense shield for the UAE and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

At a May 2015 Camp David summit, then-US President Barack Obama and heads of delegations of the GCC renewed their commitment to work together on common threats and regional crises.

The GCC member-states committed to develop a region-wide ballistic missile defense capability, including radar and early warning systems.

Advanced weaponry

The United States has been a key supplier of advanced military equipment to the UAE, contributing to the modernization of its armed forces.

Through these Foreign Military Sales, the UAE has purchased a wide range of advanced US military equipment, armored vehicles, Patriot missiles, helicopters, munitions and infrared countermeasure systems.

The UAE is unique in its possession of a suite of sophisticated missile systems that were developed in the United States.

It was the first country outside the United States to purchase the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system and the first GCC country to deploy Patriot PAC-3 missiles.

It has since added to that arsenal: most recently, the US State Department approved a possible sale to the UAE in August 2022 of two more THAAD control stations and 96 more missile rounds.

US training

In addition to advanced weapons, the United States provides unparalleled training opportunities for the UAE -- both within the UAE and stateside. The training includes aviation and missile defense, special operations, artillery, reconnaissance and maneuver exercises.

In order to enhance combat readiness, UAE Air Force F-16 pilots regularly participate in the Red Flag aerial combat exercise with the US Air Force in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Regular joint military exercises allow both countries to strengthen their interoperability. Notable exercises, such as "Iron Union" and "Eager Lion," have brought together the armed forces of the United States and the UAE, providing an opportunity for realistic training scenarios and the exchange of best practices.

Additionally, the United States Interagency Task Force on Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) has offered vital training to Emirati security personnel, addressing threats to aviation security.

UAE troops last year became the first partner from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) region to have a company level unit participate in a US-based combat training center.

They returned for a training rotation in January at Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana that included air assault operations, military decision-making process, troop leading procedures, offensive and defensive operations, and squad- to company-level live fire exercises alongside the 101st Airborne Division.

The goal of the rotation was to improve interoperability and demonstrate the strength of the United States' partnership with the UAE, said US Army Central.