Rwanda National Police Shines at the 2025 UAE SWAT Challenge

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) has once again demonstrated its tactical prowess on the international stage, participating for the fourth time in the prestigious UAE Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Challenge. The event kicked off on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Al Ruwayyah Training City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This year’s competition, now in its sixth edition, has brought together 103 elite law enforcement teams from over 70 countries. Over five days, teams from around the world will showcase their exceptional skills in five specialized challenges designed to test both physical endurance and tactical expertise in high-pressure scenarios. These challenges include the Tactical Operations Challenge, the Assault Challenge, the Officer Rescue Competition, the High Tower Challenge, and the Obstacle Course.

By the end of Day Two on Sunday, February 2, RNP SWAT Team 1 secured a solid 8th place with 183 points, among 103 teams. RNP SWAT Team 2 followed closely in 11th place with 169 points. The team from China currently leads the standings with 200 points.

On the first day of competition, teams competed in the Assault Event, while Day Two focused on the Tactical Event, where teams demonstrated their tactical response capabilities in a range of simulated security situations.

Rwanda’s SWAT teams have a strong track record at the UAE SWAT Challenge. In 2024, RNP Team 1 emerged as the overall winner in the Obstacle Course category, while Team 2 ranked 6th, proving their prowess in the grueling physical challenges.

The 2025 competition follows closely on the heels of Rwanda’s successful hosting of the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) SWAT Challenge. This was the first such event in the region and was held in late January 2025, bringing together police forces from 14 countries in East Africa.

The UAE SWAT Challenge is seen as an opportunity for participating police forces to showcase their capabilities, share knowledge, and refine their skills in the field of tactical operations. It also provides a unique platform for global law enforcement agencies to exchange advanced techniques, strategies, and state-of-the-art technology used in managing security operations.

As the competition progresses over the next few days, Rwanda’s teams remain determined to maintain their strong position and continue to demonstrate the high level of training and professionalism that has come to define the Rwanda National Police.