UAE Defense Manufacturing: Thales Partnership with Tawazun
Thales has recently entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Tawazun Council, marking a significant milestone in the United Arab Emirates’ defense sector. This partnership aims to locally produce Thales’ Ground Master air surveillance radars, a move that aligns with the UAE’s broader initiative to boost domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and enhance international exports. The agreement was formalized during the “Make it in the Emirates 2025” event, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of manufacturing in the region.
In addition to enriching the national defense capabilities, this partnership will also pave the way for establishing a state-of-the-art production facility. This facility is expected to be fully operational by 2027 and will specialize in assembling, testing, and qualifying advanced air surveillance radars. According to Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council, this expansion of Thales’ Radar Centre of Excellence underscores the strength of the UAE’s defense industrial strategy and enhances the country’s leadership in advanced technologies.
Strengthening National Defense Capabilities
The implications of this agreement extend beyond mere production; it serves to reinforce the UAE’s sovereignty in critical defense technologies. Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President for Land and Air Systems at Thales, emphasized that the deal not only fortifies the national supply chain but also promotes local talents and deepens expertise in advanced radar systems. This is a crucial step towards ensuring that the UAE can independently support its defense needs without excessive reliance on foreign entities.
The initiative opens up vast opportunities for local companies too, allowing them to innovate and compete on a global scale. This strategy is designed to build a robust ecosystem that nurtures homegrown capabilities in the defense sector, thus enabling UAE firms to flourish in both domestic and international markets.
The UAE’s Broader Defense Ambitions
The UAE is not alone in its ambition to enhance defense manufacturing capabilities; it joins a growing list of non-Western nations, including South Korea and India. Each of these countries is focusing on bolstering domestic production to decrease dependency on foreign suppliers for military equipment, while simultaneously strengthening their armed forces and fueling economic growth. This shift not only enhances national security but also fosters job creation and technological advancement within the nation’s defense sector.
Recent initiatives by the UAE further illustrate this commitment. Partnerships with companies like RTX for the local production of the Coyote counter-drone system and investigations into gallium production at Emirates Global Aluminium’s Abu Dhabi facility highlight the multifaceted approach the UAE is taking towards its defense strategy. Additionally, the designation of the UAE as a Major Defense Partner by the US underscores the importance of international collaborations, which facilitate joint research and development while expanding industrial and investment partnerships in the defense domain.
