Ministry of Defence, Abu Dhabi Police sign deals worth Dhs25.4 billion

Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement (Tawazun) — the national authority mandated to enable, regulate, and sustain the UAE’s defence and security industrial ecosystem — announced the signing of nine new contracts worth a total of Dhs1.012 billion on behalf of the Ministry of Defence on the fifth and final day of the 19th edition of the Dubai Airshow 2025.

This brings the overall number of contracts signed on behalf of the Ministry and Abu Dhabi Police during the five-day exhibition to 36, with a cumulative value of Dhs25.455 billion.

The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Majed Ahmed Al Jaberi, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saeedi and Manea Abdulkarim Al Mansoori, the official spokespersons of the Council.

Manea Al Mansoori explained that the local deals signed on the final day comprised six contracts worth a total of Dhs544.675 million, including two contracts with M4 Trading, the first contract is worth Dhs57.636 million to procure Grand Control Station and the second is an Dhs161.634 million contract to procure aircraft.

Also announced was an Dhs29 million contract with Al Taif Technical Services Company to provide maintenance services for cooling equipment and power generators, a contract worth Dhs154.5 million with MP3 company to supply materials and equipment for pilots and aerial rescue operations, as well as spare parts. A contract was also signed with International Golden Group to procure aerial drop systems at a value of Dhs65.905 million and an AED76 million contract with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI) to procure drones.

Abdulla Al Saeedi said three international deals were signed on the fifth day of the Airshow at a total value of Dhs467.913 million. They included two contracts with the American company Lockheed Martin, the first, valued at Dhs184 million, to provide technical support services for maintenance and procurement of spare parts for portable devices and the second, worth Dhs63.551 million, to provide technical support services for the procurement of spare parts for aircraft simulators.

The third contract, signed the American company Raytheon, entails purchase of friendly force identification systems at a value of Dhs220.362 million.

Through these agreements, the Tawazun Council for Deference Enablement continues to consolidate its position as a strategic enabler and partner for the Ministry of Defence, unifying national efforts to develop a comprehensive and sustainable defence ecosystem that enhances the UAE’s capabilities and aligns with the country’s future aspirations.

In his closing remarks, Majed Al Jaberi emphasised that the achievements of the five-day exhibition demonstrate the success of the Council’s vision in empowering the defence and security sector through strategic partnerships with both the public and private sectors. He highlighted the growing participation of national companies in executing high-value projects that advance local capabilities in defence, aviation, and space.

Al Jaberi further noted that the Council remains committed to fostering an innovative and knowledge-driven working environment, supporting the UAE’s transition to a technology-based national economy, and cementing the country’s position as a global hub for advanced and future-focused defence industries.

UAE consolidates leadership in aviation: Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales in the UAE, affirmed that the United Arab Emirates has consolidated its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing and most innovative aviation and space hubs, thanks to its ambitious vision and its ability to establish advanced infrastructure and long-term partnerships that enable global companies to expand capabilities and localise technologies.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025, he said the relationship between the company and the UAE has evolved into a strategic partnership that includes local manufacturing and the expansion of engineering competencies, noting that the UAE provides an ideal environment to strengthen research and development and build future sovereign technologies.

Mordi said artificial intelligence has become a key driver of the sector’s future by improving real-time decision-making and reducing fuel consumption and emissions, adding that digital transformation supports the development of aviation and airport operations, enhances operational efficiency and enables more customised passenger services and improved predictive maintenance.

He noted that communications technologies and predictive analytics contribute to making aircraft operations more sustainable by enabling early fault detection and proactive maintenance planning, reducing unplanned downtime and avoiding unnecessary component replacement.

He explained that by 2030, the company’s air traffic management innovations alone could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 10 percent.

Mordi highlighted that the role of artificial intelligence will grow further with the expansion of electric aircraft and new air mobility vehicles such as eVTOL and unmanned aircraft. He said the fifth cycle of the company’s Aviation X Lab, launched during the airshow, serves as a key platform for transforming advanced concepts into practical solutions and supporting a safer and more sustainable future for the next billion passengers.

He affirmed that supporting national talent is a core pillar of the company’s strategy, noting that Thales in the UAE provides an industrial work environment for Emirati engineers, in addition to training and recruitment programmes for graduates and expanded cooperation with national institutions to ensure knowledge transfer and the consolidation of intellectual property locally.

On the company’s highlights at Dubai Airshow 2025, he said the participation marks an important opportunity to showcase advanced solutions, including defence and space technologies, unmanned aircraft systems, advanced radars, the low-Earth orbit satellite-based LEO-PNT navigation and positioning system and the latest avionics solutions.

WAM