With a presence in the region since 1978, the UAE has evolved into a key player in Thales’ target markets on a global scale. The Group’s vision in the UAE is to bring security, safety and growth; whilst evolving state sovereignty, providing sustainable economic development, and fostering provincial talent.
The Group, a long-term partner of the UAE armed forces, has developed its local presence in the country through numerous joint ventures and partnerships. This has allowed the Group to expand its local footprint, to be able to adapt and meet customer needs and, crucially, to develop talents through the means of high-level professional & academic training programmes.
Thales’ strategy encompasses strategic topics with the aim of promoting local expansion in emerging countries. This is of paramount importance as it allows the Group to attain its ambitious objectives. Joint ventures and academic partnerships form the core approach for the cooperative relationships in the UAE:
- Since 2009, the joint venture Thales Advanced Solutions (TAS) - a subsidiary of Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) - has developed an expertise in four business segments: SATCOM, Radar, Radio / Network and Support.
- Leveraging from its shareholders capabilities (C4 Advanced Solutions and Thales), TAS brings a unique capability for local projects execution including offset to the UAE Defence market.
Through these diversified activities, TAS positions itself as an employer of choice for Emirati in the field of Defence Electronics and Security. TAS therefore contributes towards realizing UAE's long-term strategy for developing local industry, providing knowledge and technology transfer, training and local employment opportunities.
- CERT Thales Institute: A partnership has been established since 2002 between the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Thales; the objectives of this agreement are in line with the UAE’s governmental strategy to develop and sustain national assets and human capital in high-tech industry fields.
- Thalbat Advanced technologies LLC: A joint venture between Thales and Baynuna Aviation Technology has been launched in 2009.The firm provides technical and technological support to the United Emirates Air Force in the field of on-board electronics.
In 2008, Thales inaugurated an Integration Centre dedicated mainly to Transportation and Security business. Based in Dubai, the team is engaged to provide transportation and security solutions for major Thales programmes in the Middle East region. Key references in Dubai include the Dubai Metro (supplying & maintaining driverless system, integrated communications and fare collection systems) and Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 concourses A and B (supplying & maintaining integrated security systems). Recent award of Dubai Transport Enterprise Control and Command Centre confirms the strong recognition of local customer in Thales solutions.
Moreover, in Abu Dhabi, solutions are provided for security and surveillance systems for the Borouge II petrochemicals complex. Strong of theses references and knowhow the integration centre also supports the deployment of new projects in Qatar, Oman and Iraq.