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The seventh edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge officially began on Saturdayat the Training City in Al Ruwayyah, Dubai, bringing together elite tactical police teams from across the globe to compete in one of the world’s most specialised law enforcement championships.

Organised by Dubai Police, the five-day event features teams from six continents competing across five core challenges designed specifically for special police units.

The challenges test tactical proficiency, physical fitness, operational readiness, and decision-making under pressure, with a total prize pool of $260,000.

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The opening ceremony was attended by Lt Gen Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, alongside senior officers and tactical team leaders representing international police forces.

Running until Wednesday, the competition schedule includes the Assault Challenge, followed by the Hostage Rescue Challenge, Officer Rescue Challenge, Tower Challenge, and concluding with the Obstacle Challenge. Prizes will be awarded daily to the top three teams in each challenge, with overall awards presented at the end of the event.

Lt Gen Al Marri welcomed all participating teams, highlighting the growing global stature of the UAE SWAT Challengeand noting that the previous edition secured a Guinness World Records title for the most countries participating in a tactical teams championship, with 46 nations represented.

Brigadier Obaid Mubarak Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said the challenge aims to expand the exchange of expertise among participating teams, introduce advanced international practices in tactical policing, and assess readiness in handling complex operational scenarios. He added that the event has become one of the world’s leading specialised tactical competitions.

Meanwhile, China is participating in the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026 with six specialised police teams, including two women’s teams, following a national qualification process involving 48 elite teams.

The announcement was made by Ou Boqian, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, during her visit to the competition site.

She affirmed the full preparedness of the Chinese teams and expressed confidence in their ability to perform strongly, recalling that Chinese teams secured the championship title in the previous edition. She also called on the Chinese community in the UAE to attend the event and support their national teams.

In another highlight, the organising committee announced the selection of two Emirati female judges to join the international refereeing panel of 35 judges. First Lieutenant Meitha Mohammad Saif and First Sergeant Fatima Ali Al Bandari were selected in recognition of their technical expertise and experience in previous editions of the challenge.

Both judges expressed pride in their selection, noting that their participation reflects the confidence placed in Emirati women and their ability to contribute effectively in specialised and demanding roles. They emphasised the importance of safety, fairness, and accuracy in officiating the competition.

Ahead of the official opening, a Russian team claimed first place in the Mountain Biking Competition, an optional event held on Friday as part of the UAE SWAT Challenge activities.

Team “Malachite 4” secured first place, followed by Kazakhstan’s “Kaz SWAT D” in second, while the Government Special Protection Agency team from Mongolia finished third.

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