"balance" and"MBDA" They announce a package of strategic projects that support the localization of defense technology

2025/11/18 11:50:58 PM

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Dubai, November 18, 2018 (WAM) – The Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council (Tawazun) and MBDA announced the launch of a package of strategic projects that will support the localization of defense industries and the development of the national innovation system.

The agreement for the projects was signed, on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025, by Matar Ali Al Rumaithi, Director General of the Industrial Development Directorate at the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council, and Eric Beranger, CEO of MBDA.

These projects and initiatives come within the framework of MBDA’s commitment to the Tawazun Economic Program, the implementation of which is supervised by the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council and works to strengthen strategic partnerships and transfer technology and knowledge, which contributes to enhancing the added value of the national economy, is in line with the UAE’s vision for industrial and technological transformation, and supports the country’s competitiveness and leadership in advanced defense industries.

In this context, MBDA announced the establishment of its wholly owned company, MBDA Emirates, describing this step as a new stage in the process of cooperation extending between the two sides since 2000. It aims to strengthen the company’s local footprint and develop national capabilities in the areas of research, development, production and technical support, thus consolidating MBDA’s position as a long-term industrial partner for the UAE.

The company also announced the development of a hover munitions system supported by artificial intelligence, in cooperation with the European startup Fly-R.

The new system relies on an innovative design that provides high-speed performance and superior maneuverability, while integrating artificial intelligence technologies to provide operational superiority in modern combat fields.

MBDA revealed the project to establish the Emirates Thermal Battery (ETB) factory in the Tawazun Industrial Complex, to be a new industrial branch of the global ASB Group.

The factory aims to develop the local defense manufacturing system, and thermal batteries are an essential and strategic element in the missile industry.

This factory would contribute to enhancing the capabilities of the UAE defense industry and its sovereignty in the field of missiles.

This project comes within the “Project Bank Portfolio” launched by the Council within the framework of the Economic Balance Program, which aims to support innovative projects and employ modern technology to develop national capabilities.

Matar Ali Al Rumaithi stressed that the new projects announced in cooperation with MBDA reflect the depth of the strategic partnership between the two sides, and embody the Council’s commitment to empowering the defense industrial sector in the UAE by attracting advanced technologies and localizing supply chains.

He added that these projects constitute a practical model of the successes of the Economic Tawazun Program in building qualitative partnerships and strategic investments that support technology transfer and the development of national competencies, stressing the pioneering role of the UAE as a regional center for advanced defense industries.

For his part, Eric Beranger said that the establishment of MBDA Emirates represents a milestone that reflects the keenness to consolidate the long-term partnership with the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council, and the development and production of hovering munitions within the UAE embodies the commitment to supporting qualitative and tangible projects with high added value to the national economy. He expected that this extended partnership will enable the company to be an essential part of the growth of the defense industry in the UAE, with the highest possible level of efficiency and effectiveness.