Sheikh Hamdan Attends GCC Joint Military Drill In Bahrain
Gulf defence ties were on full display this week. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, attended the GCC joint military drill Bahrain as part of his official visit to the kingdom on Friday.
The exercise brought together forces from across the Gulf Cooperation Council, underscoring the bloc’s push for tighter coordination on regional security at a time when tensions linked to the broader US-Iran standoff remain high across the Gulf.
Sheikh Hamdan was received by Bahrain’s leadership at the start of his visit, with the drill forming a central part of the itinerary. Officials from both countries used the occasion to reaffirm the strength of UAE-Bahrain ties, particularly in defence and military training cooperation.
Joint exercises like this one have become more frequent among GCC member states over the past year, as the six-nation bloc looks to strengthen collective readiness and interoperability between their armed forces.
Analysts say this reflects a broader Gulf strategy of leaning on regional cooperation rather than relying solely on outside powers for security guarantees.
Further engagements between UAE and Bahraini officials are expected during the course of Sheikh Hamdan’s visit.
