As committed security partners, the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) routinely collaborate on joint military exercises to foster interoperability, engage in expertise sharing and ensure security.

The drills in recent years have addressed a number of priorities.

In May, US, Saudi and UAE forces wrapped up the most recent iteration of Exercise Native Fury.

In a historic first, Native Fury 24 featured a long-range logistics convoy of more than 100 vehicles and 200 Marines, soldiers and partner troops traversing the Trans-Arabian Network from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.

The exercise showcased partner interoperability in an array of skills including commercial maritime logistics off-load and on-load operations, long-distance tactical convoys, bilateral machine gun ranges, airfield damage repair, ground and aerial medical evacuation drills, forward arming and refueling point operations and mounted assault training.

Native Fury 24 built tactical proficiency in the planning and execution of critical, multi-domain operations, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

The United States and UAE also regularly hold the Iron Union joint exercise in the Abu Dhabi Desert.

Participants of Iron Union practice combined arms, security, and staff operations in austere conditions. Both countries' land forces can showcase their operational capabilities and expertise.

Meanwhile, in March 2023, the UAE Ground Forces joined US forces at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana.

Together, the US and UAE troops performed live fire exercises, aerial assaults and highly coordinated force-on-force combat at the center, which is designed to prepare forces for active combat with a unique combination of simulated adversary forces, role players and training areas.

The UAE's participation marked the first time a company from the Middle East and South and Central Asia underwent training at a combat center in the United States.

US equipment

The robust cooperation between the United States and the UAE is also marked by weapons sales and annual training for UAE military personnel.

Through this partnership, the UAE has enhanced its military capabilities with the most advanced tools and equipment on the market.

Recent acquisitions have included Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles and MQ-9B hunter-killer drones.

Training also brings 600 to 800 Emirati military personnel to train in the United States each year.

The United States' willingness to provide both physical security through military sales and build partner capacity through exercises and trainings indicates its enduring commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.