H.H. Sheikh Hamdan visits Bahrain King for joint military exercise

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Friday.

To begin Sheikh Hamdan's official visit to Bahrain, they watched a joint military exercise called the "Bahrain Shield," hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force with the participation of the Mohammed bin Zayed Wing.

There were also a number of armed forces members from Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) involved, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, along with a group from the Peninsula Shield.

The exercise was designed to oversee the joint operational readiness of the GCC, as well as the joint coordination and defence capabilities through combined training demonstrations and highlighting joint deterrence programs.

During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan conveyed the greetings of His Highness UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to King Hamad.

Sheikh Hamdan also praised the high level of organisation and advanced level of the exercise.

The meeting touched on the latest regional developments and the need to increase the level of cooperation to affirm the unity of the Gulf ranks in the face of the challenges arising, while emphasising the importance of continued coordination and consultation.

At the conclusion of the visit, Sheikh Hamdan affirmed the strength of the relations that unite the UAE and Bahrain.

Sheikh Hamdan had arrived earlier in Manama, where he was received at Bahrain International Airport by Lieutenant General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor and Commander of the Royal Guard, and Brigadier General Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of Special Operations of the Royal Guard.

ملك البحرين يستقبل حمدان بن محمد، بحضور ناصر بن حمد وخالد بن حمد. جاء ذلك في مستهل زيارة حمدان بن محمد التي شهد خلالها التمرين العسكري المشترك "درع البحرين"، الذي تستضيفه قوة دفاع البحرين بمشاركة سرب محمد بن زايد وعدد من أشقائهم من القوات المسلحة بدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج… pic.twitter.com/qtf76pnxO3

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 31, 2026