Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the cabinet has approved compulsory military service for all men aged between 18 and 30.
The service will be optional for women, the Gulf news reported.
"The National Service will be mandatory for all male UAE nationals, above 18 yrs, or high school grads; it will be voluntary for females," Shaikh Mohammad wrote on on his official Twitter handle.
"The Service will cover military training at the armed forces, 9 months for high school grads & 2 yrs for those with less than high school."