The UAE National Guard Unveils 'Al Toud': A Compact Powerhouse for Global Disaster Relief
The UAE National Guard has officially debuted 'Al Toud' at the ISNR exhibition in Abu Dhabi, a revolutionary heavy search-and-rescue vehicle designed to streamline disaster response. Meaning "steadfast mountain" in Arabic, the 18-tonne MAN Rosenbauer truck consolidates seven essential rescue systems into one mobile platform. This innovation eliminates the logistical nightmare of transporting large, fragmented convoys to international disaster sites, allowing teams to deploy everything from concrete-cutting tools to advanced water pumps in a single unit. Equipped with a 340-horsepower engine, a robust front winch, and a rear crane, the vehicle ensures that emergency responders have immediate, self-sufficient access to critical equipment within hours of reaching a disaster zone.
Beyond its physical lifting and cutting capabilities, 'Al Toud' serves as a sophisticated command hub, featuring a DELSAR seismic-acoustic system that detects the faint movements and breathing of survivors trapped under debris. This technology allows rescuers to map out victims safely, minimizing the need to enter unstable structures blindly. Furthermore, the truck boasts independent power systems capable of sustaining 24-hour operations, alongside high-tech digital management screens for remote equipment operation. These advancements are part of the National Guard’s broader strategy to enhance its humanitarian footprint, which saw the team complete 168 search-and-rescue operations in the first quarter of 2025 alone, underscoring the UAE's commitment to rapid and effective global emergency response.