Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in the UAE Armed Forces. The announcement was made in a formal decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This promotion comes one year after Sheikh Hamdan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, succeeding his father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who had held the defence portfolio since the UAE’s formation. His first year in the role has been marked by military modernisation, regional partnerships, and strategic reform.
Early education and international training
Sheikh Hamdan was born on November 14, 1982, and is the son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. He is the second male child among twelve siblings and the third son of Sheikh Mohammed. His elder full brother was Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed.
He began his education in Dubai at the Rashid School for Boys and later attended the Dubai School of Government. For his military training, Sheikh Hamdan enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2001. He further pursued academic studies at the London School of Economics.
Early roles in governance and public service
In September 2006, Sheikh Hamdan was appointed Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. On February 1, 2008, he was named Crown Prince of Dubai, while his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum became Deputy Ruler. Sheikh Hamdan appointed key personnel and financial advisers upon taking office and became head of HN Capital LLP.
He leads the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for young entrepreneurs and sits on the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Autism Centre. Sheikh Hamdan played a key role in the Dubai World Expo 2020 delegation and raised the UAE flag from the top of the Burj Khalifa following Dubai’s successful bid. He also founded the Hamdan International Photography Award in 2011.
Appointment as defence minister and first year in office
On July 14, 2024, Sheikh Mohammed announced that Sheikh Hamdan would take over as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Sheikh Hamdan took the oath of office on July 18. In his first year, he has focused on technology integration, including digital warfare systems and surveillance tools.
During his tenure, the Al Emarat P111 corvette warship was launched with advanced naval defence systems. Sheikh Hamdan visited India in April 2025 and met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss joint training, production, and maritime coordination. He also engaged in regional outreach to South Korea and other allied nations.
Legacy and symbolic leadership
Sheikh Hamdan recently marked 49 years of UAE military unification at a formal ceremony. His father publicly acknowledged the anniversary of his appointment by composing a poem in his honour. Sheikh Hamdan's message to UAE Armed Forces personnel emphasised organisational excellence and future readiness.
His leadership reflects a generational continuation in both military and governmental roles, building on national service, global education, and strategic policymaking.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
This promotion comes one year after Sheikh Hamdan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, succeeding his father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who had held the defence portfolio since the UAE’s formation. His first year in the role has been marked by military modernisation, regional partnerships, and strategic reform.
Early education and international training
Sheikh Hamdan was born on November 14, 1982, and is the son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. He is the second male child among twelve siblings and the third son of Sheikh Mohammed. His elder full brother was Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed.
He began his education in Dubai at the Rashid School for Boys and later attended the Dubai School of Government. For his military training, Sheikh Hamdan enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2001. He further pursued academic studies at the London School of Economics.
Early roles in governance and public service
In September 2006, Sheikh Hamdan was appointed Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. On February 1, 2008, he was named Crown Prince of Dubai, while his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum became Deputy Ruler. Sheikh Hamdan appointed key personnel and financial advisers upon taking office and became head of HN Capital LLP.
He leads the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for young entrepreneurs and sits on the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Autism Centre. Sheikh Hamdan played a key role in the Dubai World Expo 2020 delegation and raised the UAE flag from the top of the Burj Khalifa following Dubai’s successful bid. He also founded the Hamdan International Photography Award in 2011.
Appointment as defence minister and first year in office
On July 14, 2024, Sheikh Mohammed announced that Sheikh Hamdan would take over as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Sheikh Hamdan took the oath of office on July 18. In his first year, he has focused on technology integration, including digital warfare systems and surveillance tools.
During his tenure, the Al Emarat P111 corvette warship was launched with advanced naval defence systems. Sheikh Hamdan visited India in April 2025 and met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss joint training, production, and maritime coordination. He also engaged in regional outreach to South Korea and other allied nations.
Legacy and symbolic leadership
Sheikh Hamdan recently marked 49 years of UAE military unification at a formal ceremony. His father publicly acknowledged the anniversary of his appointment by composing a poem in his honour. Sheikh Hamdan's message to UAE Armed Forces personnel emphasised organisational excellence and future readiness.
His leadership reflects a generational continuation in both military and governmental roles, building on national service, global education, and strategic policymaking.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
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