Thales has inked a strategic cooperation agreement with the Tawazun Council to produce its Ground Master air surveillance radars in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Signed during the “Make it in the Emirates 2025” event, the deal supports the UAE’s initiative to boost domestic defense manufacturing and international exports while reinforcing national defense capabilities.
The future production facility, which will be used to assemble, test, and qualify advanced air surveillance radars, is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
“The expansion of Thales’ Radar Centre of Excellence reflects the strength of the UAE’s defence industrial strategy and its regional leadership in advanced technologies,” Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council, said.
“This initiative enhances national capabilities in air surveillance radar systems while creating significant opportunities for local companies to grow, innovate, and compete globally.”
Meanwhile, Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems, noted that the agreement “reinforces the UAE’s sovereignty in critical defence technologies, strengthens the national supply chain, embarks UAE talents and deepens local expertise in advanced radar systems.”
Emirati Defense
The UAE joins several non-Western countries, such as South Korea and India, in ramping up domestic defense manufacturing to lessen reliance on foreign partners for arms while strengthening the military and the economy.
Among the Gulf country’s recent defense initiatives include deals with RTX to locally produce the Coyote counter-drone system and explore gallium production at the Emirates Global Aluminium’s Abu Dhabi facility.
In addition, the UAE was designated as a Major Defense Partner by the US, enabling a collaboration that will “deepen ties in defense innovation, facilitate joint research and development, and expand industrial and investment partnerships across both defense ecosystems,” according to a joint press statement.
