UAE military puts on stunning display at Union Fortress exercise

Live action scenes and hostage rescue drills entertained families at the Umm Al Quwain show

UAE fighter pilots impress spectators with a dramatic fly-past at the Union Fortress 7 in Umm Al Quwain on Friday. The annual military parade demonstrates the armed forces capabilities and showcases modern equipment and technology. All photos by Wam

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla watches joint military exercises

Crowds watch as a helicopter swoops in for a live action hostage rescue mission

Union Fortress demonstrations are held around the country to showcase the skills and training of the armed forces

Sheikh Saud and guests watch the performance on Friday

Emirati fighter pilots dazzled spectators with skill and precision as they took to the skies with a dramatic flypast at the Union Fortress military show this weekend.

Families watched as the jets trailed the colours of the UAE flag in a series of manoeuvres during the joint military exercises in Umm Al Quwain on Friday.

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, the Ruler of Umm Al Quwain and Supreme Council Member, praised the armed forces for guarding the country’s borders from all threats.

He said the military “enjoy a special status in terms of state-of-the-art technology, training, quality of armament, development of their capabilities, with the ultimate goal of protecting our homeland and ensuring its security and stability," in a statement on state news agency Wam.

The Union Fortress 7 was the biggest demonstration of military prowess to date and showcased some of the modern equipment of the main units of the ground, air forces and the Presidential Guard.

In a series of demonstrations, various branches of the military were involved in hostage rescue and other missions.

The role servicemen and women perform has been accorded high respect in the UAE.

Thousands were recently honoured and described as "faithful falcons" at a welcome ceremony organised by the country's leaders for soldiers who returned home from Yemen.