Emirati high school graduates will serve a shorter mandatory term in the Armed Forces in a major change to the national service programme.
The Ministry of Defence said men will now serve 11 months in uniform instead of 16 months, state news agency Wam reported. Emirati women can volunteer to perform the 11-month duty, and many do volunteer for national service.
Emiratis leaving school without a diploma or qualifications must serve three years as part of a scheme to better equip them for the future.
Wam said the directive came from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. National service will be updated to include "increased realism in training", the ministry statement added.
National service is mandatory for Emirati men aged between 18 and 30 and voluntary for those aged 30 to 40.
It was introduced in 2014 as a 12-month tour of duty and was extended to the current period in 2018.
An Abu Dhabi Judicial Department report in 2017 credited the programme with a 75 per cent decline in crimes committed by young Emiratis between 2014 and 2017.
The most dramatic change was in the number of fights or assaults among those aged between 18 and 30 that led to death or disability.
Sixty-one cases were reported in those three years, down from 274 in the three years before national service was introduced.
Armed Forces dazzle in live military show: in pictures
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Military buggies race along the desert after being dropped off by a Chinook helicopter. EPA -
A vehicle is flipped during a demonstration of an explosion. EPA -
A man watches as helicopters demonstrate their skills during the Union Fortress 8 military parade. AFP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, watch the Union Fortress show at Expo 2020. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
Sheikh Hamdan watches the drills through binoculars. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
Crowds turned out for the military spectacle, which will be held again on Sunday. EPA -
Spectators watch as members of the UAE armed forces perform. EPA -
Weekly military parades and displays will be held by the Ministry of Defence at Expo 2020 Dubai in March. EPA -
Police on horseback control a mock riot during the show. EPA -
People wave UAE flags. EPA -
A Chinook helicopter drops off military buggies on the parade ground. EPA -
The drill featured dramatic explosions. EPA -
Several branches of the military and local police are involved in the series of drills and demonstrations. EPA -
Members of the UAE Armed Forces perform during a drill. EPA -
The live exercises thrilled the large crowds in attendance. EPA -
Union Fortress 8 serves as a showcase for the UAE's military prowess. EPA -
The free show included displays such as a helicopter mission drill and the latest army vehicles. EPA -
The event aims to celebrate the development of the UAE Armed Forces over the decades. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
A parachutist prepares to land on the parade ground. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
Union Fortress is also being held in line with the UAE's Golden Jubilee. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
Troops show their weapons-handling skills. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
Troops during a helicopter drill. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
The last day of Expo 2020 is March 31 - meaning there are fewer than 60 days left to see the world's fair. Photo: Dubai Media Office
