Pilot Staff-Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National and Reserve Service Authority, led a delegation from the UAE Armed Forces on a visit to the Singapore Ministry of Defense to learn about the country’s National Service, which was introduced in 1967.

Sam Tan, Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, received Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun and his delegation as they exchanged information and experiences in national service, with the aim of enhancing bilateral institutional cooperation, UAE national news agency WAM reported.

Colonel Simon Lim, Director of National Service Affairs, received the delegation at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in Singapore, and stressed their willingness to promote co-operation between the UAE and Singapore.

On the first day of the visit, Colonel Lim made a presentation about the recruitment mechanism of Singapore's National Services, and outlined the strategic services presented by the National Service Affairs Department at the Ministry of Defense.

At the end of the first day, Pilot Staff-Major General Sheikh Ahmed and Colonel Lim exchanged gifts, wishing both countries success and continued development. They also confirmed their keenness to continue cooperation and joint action to serve mutual interest.

On the second day, Colonel Xu Xiaoxi, Commander of the National Service Registration and Training Centre, received the delegation at the National Service training unit and presented an explanatory presentation on the training process and the development of the program since its establishment. He also shared his views on the growth of the national service program in both countries.

Sheikh Ahmed stressed the importance of this visit to one of the first countries to implement the national service program.

He further highlighted the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for the success of the national service program.

He also underlined the focus of the wise leadership on the program that contributes to boosting the spirit of recruits. This reflects the exceptional relations between the rulers and the people of the UAE, and establishes the important position of national service recruits, he added.