In a significant move towards enhancing its defense capabilities, Thales has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Tawazun Council to manufacture its Ground Master air surveillance radars within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement was formally signed at the “Make it in the Emirates 2025” event, aligning with the UAE’s initiative aimed at bolstering domestic defense production and enhancing international exports.
The collaboration will lead to the establishment of a production facility dedicated to assembling, testing, and qualifying advanced air surveillance radars. It is projected that this facility will commence operations by 2027, marking a pivotal step in the UAE’s efforts to develop its defense manufacturing sector.
Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating that the expansion of Thales’ Radar Centre of Excellence highlights the robustness of the UAE’s defense industrial strategy and its regional leadership in advanced technologies. He noted that the initiative not only elevates national capabilities in air surveillance radar systems but also opens up avenues for local companies to innovate and compete on a global scale.
Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President of Land and Air Systems at Thales, added that the partnership strengthens the UAE’s sovereignty over critical defense technologies, fortifies the national supply chain, and cultivates local talent while enhancing expertise in sophisticated radar systems.
The UAE’s decision to ramp up domestic defense manufacturing mirrors the approaches of several non-Western nations, such as South Korea and India. These countries are similarly working to reduce their dependency on foreign defense suppliers while simultaneously boosting their military capacities and economies. Recent initiatives within the Gulf state include partnerships with RTX for the local production of the Coyote counter-drone system and exploring gallium production at the Emirates Global Aluminium’s facility in Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, the UAE has been recognized as a Major Defense Partner by the United States, a designation that facilitates deeper collaborations in defense innovation, encourages joint research and development, and broadens industrial and investment partnerships within both nations’ defense sectors. This designation further underscores the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its defense landscape through strategic alliances and local manufacturing capabilities.
