UAE Unveils First Rail Ambulance to Reach Remote Areas Faster
The UAE introduces a rail-ready ambulance designed to deliver emergency care in hard-to-reach desert locations.
Emergency response in the UAE is getting a serious upgrade. The country has unveiled its first rail ambulance, a specially designed vehicle that can travel directly on railway tracks to reach remote and difficult areas faster than ever.
Built locally by Naffco, the ambulance blends standard emergency care features with a smart rail system, opening new possibilities for medical access across the region.
Built for Tracks, Not Just Roads
At first glance, it looks like a regular box-style ambulance. But this one comes with a rail gear system mounted at the front, inspired by locomotive engines.
Once the ambulance reaches a railway line, the system deploys, lifting the tyres off the ground and allowing the vehicle to run directly on the tracks. This makes it ideal for desert terrain and areas where normal ambulances struggle with sand and rough ground.
Designed for the Growing Rail Network
The timing is no coincidence. The rail ambulance aligns with the rapid expansion of the UAE–Saudi railway network, led by Etihad Rail’s 900-kilometre line stretching from Ghuweifat at the Saudi border to Fujairah.
Etihad Rail’s upcoming passenger service will connect 11 stations across all seven emirates, rolling out in phases this year. The wider GCC Railway project, expected to link all six Gulf countries by 2030, could also benefit from this new emergency response capability.
Fully Equipped for Emergencies
Despite its unique mobility, the rail ambulance is fully loaded with standard emergency medical equipment. Inside, it includes stretchers, a stair chair, ventilator, AED, trauma and first-aid kits, oxygen and vacuum systems, power outlets, and secure medical storage.
The ambulance follows American ambulance standards, with insulated windows, foldable steps, and easy-access medical cabinets to support fast, efficient care on the move.
Built in the UAE
The vehicle is manufactured locally by Naffco, with only the rail system components imported from Europe. The ambulance chassis is sourced from Ford, then fully fitted and equipped in the UAE.
According to Naffco, each ambulance uses a single rail gear system, making it a specialised but highly practical solution for the region’s expanding rail infrastructure.
As rail lines stretch deeper into desert areas, this rail ambulance could become a game-changer—bringing medical help closer, faster, and right on track.