Tawazun Council and Thales have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a production facility for Ground Master air surveillance radars in the United Arab Emirates. The project is part of the Tawazun Economic Program and aligns with the UAE’s broader vision to strengthen its defense manufacturing base and national capabilities.
The agreement was signed during the fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates 2025. Signatories included Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council, and Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales in the UAE, alongside other officials.
The upcoming factory, operated by Thales Emarat Technologies, is expected to be fully operational by 2027. It will assemble, test, and qualify Ground Master radars for both domestic use and export. The radars are internationally recognized for their mobility, adaptability, and performance, and are used in a range of air surveillance and defense missions.
“This initiative enhances national capabilities in air surveillance radar systems while creating significant opportunities for local companies to grow, innovate, and compete globally,” said Matar Ali Al Romaithi. “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.”
Thales emphasized that the new facility is designed not only to produce radar systems but also to develop local suppliers and Emirati talent. The company is integrating advanced training and professional development to build long-term local expertise in radar technologies.
“Thales is proud to contribute to the growth of the UAE’s industrial defence ecosystem by advancing local capabilities, in-line with the national vision,” said Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems. “The expansion of our Radar Centre of Excellence, through the establishment of a new production facility, marks a major milestone – from integration, testing, manufacturing to lifecycle support. This investment 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.”
