Tawazun Signs Agreement with Thales to Boost Local Optronics Maintenance

Dubai, UAE — 19 November 2025 — Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement (Tawazun), and Thales have signed an agreement during Dubai Airshow 2025 to enable local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the field of optronic systems under the framework of the Tawazun Economic Programme, overseen by the Council.

The signed agreement marks a significant step towards enabling local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the field of optronic systems, under the framework of the Tawazun Economic Programme. This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen the UAE’s defence industrial base by transferring advanced technical expertise, developing a skilled local workforce, and fostering self-sufficiency in critical technologies. In the long-term, the project seeks to enhance operational readiness, reduce dependence on foreign support, and position the UAE as a regional hub for high-precision optronic MRO services. It also aligns with the nation’s broader vision of promoting sustainable industrial growth and increasing the local content contribution within the defence and technology sectors.

Through the agreement the partners will facilitate the transfer of know-how, technology, procedures, and processes required to perform operational and intermediate-level maintenance for optronic systems within the UAE.

Under the agreement, Thales will provide the technical expertise, specialised tools, rights, and certifications necessary to empower EDGE’s Electro Optics Centre of Excellence (EOCE) to perform maintenance locally. The certification of EOCE will validate its technical competency, infrastructure, management, and quality processes, ensuring compliance with international standards and in alignment with the Programme’s objectives.

The collaboration also focuses on training and upskilling UAE Nationals employed at EDGE’s EOCE, equipping them with the competencies required to perform both operational and intermediate-level maintenance, thereby promoting knowledge transfer, localisation, and industrial resilience.

Majed Al Shamsi, Executive Director, Tawazun Economic Programme, at Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement said: “This partnership with Thales and EDGE represents a strategic step towards enhancing local capabilities in optronic systems maintenance and supporting the UAE’s goal of defence self-reliance. This initiative also contributes to developing national expertise and creating new knowledge and industrial opportunities, ensuring sustainable operational readiness within the country.” ​ He added: “Through this agreement, we are committed to transferring advanced knowledge and technologies to Emirati professionals, empowering them to perform both operational and intermediate-level maintenance locally. This reflects Tawazun’s vision of enabling national capabilities and fostering industrial and strategic growth.”

Abdelhafid Mordi, Vice President of Thales in the UAE and Iraq, and CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies commented: “This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to supporting the UAE’s defence ecosystem with world-class expertise, technology and industrial capability. By enabling advanced optronics maintenance within the country, we are strengthening operational readiness while contributing to national self-reliance. Partnering with Tawazun and EDGE allows us to build sustainable, locally anchored competencies that will shape the next generation of sovereign defence capability in the UAE.”

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

About Thales in the UAE

Thales has been present in the UAE for 50 years, providing customers with technologically advanced solutions in Defence and Security, Digital Identity and Security, Aerospace, and Space industries.

Part of the Tawazun Economic Program, Thales Emarat Technologies (TET) is a fully-owned Thales Group entity that was established in 2019 to boost localization and the development of Emirati talent. It houses centres of excellence for critical systems and a variety of defence and digital aerospace technologies. Since its establishment in 2019, Tawazun Economic Council and TET have launched the Radar Centre of Excellence, the Defence Services Center and Digital Center of Excellence.

Thales is present at the Dubai Airshow on stand #740. To find out more about Thales in the United Arab Emirates, please go to: Thales in the UAE | Thales Group.