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Mid East Info
18-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
EDGE Signs MoU to Localise Maintenance Capabilities of Thales' Advanced Optronic Systems in the UAE - Middle East Business News and Information
Paris, France/Abu Dhabi, UAE:June 2025 – At the 2025 edition of the Paris Airshow, EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Thales, a global leader in high technology solutions for defence and security, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the production and maintenance of Thales' advanced electro-optic systems. This MoU supports the shared commitment of both parties to strengthen the UAE's sovereign defence capabilities and localise key technologies through sustainable in-country industrial solutions. Under the MoU, EDGE's Electro-Optic Centre of Excellence (EOCE) and Thales will explore the creation of dedicated capabilities in the UAE for a range of Thales' cutting-edge optronic systems currently in operational service with the UAE Armed Forces. The areas of intended cooperation include: Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI): Maintenance of Thales' field-proven SOPHIE family of thermal imagers, supporting ground forces with superior detection and identification performance. Weapon Sights: Local support for Thales' XTRAIM weapon sights, which combine red dot sighting and thermal imaging in a compact, high-performance solution. Electro-Optic Vehicular Cameras: Maintenance and support for Thales' advanced vehicular optronics systems, designed to enhance crew awareness and targeting capabilities across a range of armoured platforms. The MoU was signed by Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, Alexis Morel, Vice-President of the Optronics and Missile Electronics activities at Thales, and Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales in the UAE. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales Group, and Pascale Sourisse, President of Thales International. By leveraging their respective areas of expertise, EDGE's EOCE and Thales aim to increase operational readiness and lifecycle support for advanced defence technologies deployed across the UAE Armed Forces. Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, said: 'This MoU marks another important step in our journey to strengthen local defence capabilities through industrial partnerships. Together with Thales, EDGE is taking a significant step towards enabling unique and centralised maintenance capabilities for mission-critical electro-optical systems.' Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales in the UAE, said: 'We are proud to deepen our collaboration with EDGE and contribute to the UAE's strategic vision for localised defence readiness. This partnership will ensure sustained performance of our advanced optronics systems across multiple operational domains, and reinforce our shared commitment to bolster the local industrial ecosystem and reinforce the UAE's leadership in the global defence sector'.
Al Etihad
17-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
EDGE signs agreement to localise maintenance capabilities of Thales' advanced optronic systems
17 June 2025 18:27 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)At the 2025 edition of the Paris Airshow, EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Thales, a global leader in high technology solutions for defence and security, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the production and maintenance of Thales' advanced electro-optic MoU supports the shared commitment of both parties to strengthen the UAE's sovereign defence capabilities and localise key technologies through sustainable in-country industrial the MoU, EDGE's Electro-Optic Centre of Excellence (EOCE) and Thales will explore the creation of dedicated capabilities in the UAE for a range of Thales' cutting-edge optronic systems currently in operational service with the UAE Armed areas of intended cooperation include:• Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI): Maintenance of Thales' field-proven SOPHIE family of thermal imagers, supporting ground forces with superior detection and identification performance• Weapon Sights: Local support for Thales' XTRAIM weapon sights, which combine red dot sighting and thermal imaging in a compact, high-performance solution• Electro-Optic Vehicular Cameras: Maintenance and support for Thales' advanced vehicular optronics systems, designed to enhance crew awareness and targeting capabilities across a range of armoured platformsThe MoU was signed by Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, Alexis Morel, Vice-President of the Optronics and Missile Electronics activities at Thales, and Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales in the signing ceremony was witnessed by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales Group, and Pascale Sourisse, President of Thales leveraging their respective areas of expertise, EDGE's EOCE and Thales aim to increase operational readiness and lifecycle support for advanced defence technologies deployed across the UAE Armed Chaouki Kasmi said, 'This MoU marks another important step in our journey to strengthen local defence capabilities through industrial partnerships. Together with Thales, EDGE is taking a significant step towards enabling unique and centralised maintenance capabilities for mission-critical electro-optical systems.' Abdelhafid Mordi said, 'We are proud to deepen our collaboration with EDGE and contribute to the UAE's strategic vision for localised defence readiness. This partnership will ensure sustained performance of our advanced optronics systems across multiple operational domains, and reinforce our shared commitment to bolster the local industrial ecosystem and reinforce the UAE's leadership in the global defence sector." Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Gulf Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE enhances manufacturing through industrial excellence
Tawazun Council and Thales have signed a cooperation agreement to locally produce advanced Ground Master series air surveillance radars. This agreement supports the UAE's vision to boost local manufacturing and develop national defence capabilities. The signing took place on the second day of the 'Make it in the Emirates 2025,' with Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council, and Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales in the UAE, in attendance alongside representatives from both sides. This reflects Thales' commitment to supporting the UAE's vision of advancing manufacturing capabilities through innovation and industrial excellence. The Ground Master radars are internationally recognised for their reliability, superior performance, rapid deployability, and adaptability to diverse missions, positioning them amongst the world's leading air surveillance and defence systems. The facility is scheduled to be fully operational by 2027, where it will assemble, test, and qualify advanced air surveillance radars to meet both domestic and export markets' needs. The factory will serve as a strategic asset, bolstering the UAE's defence manufacturing capabilities, enhancing self-sufficiency in critical technologies, and providing flexibility to address varying operational requirements. A core pillar of Thales Radar Centre of Excellence's expansion is the development of Emirati talent. Thales places localisation at the heart of its growth strategy through advanced training programmes and sustainable professional career development, building specialised local expertise in advanced radar technologies in support of the UAE's National Defence Strategy and its vision of a highly capable, future-ready national workforce. As the project is not only focused on building the radar system but also on qualifying domestic suppliers, it further contributes to strengthening the national industrial base and promoting long-term self-reliance. Commenting on the agreement, Al Romaithi said, '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. This initiative enhances national capabilities in air surveillance radar systems while creating significant opportunities for local companies to grow, innovate, and compete globally.' For his part, Mordi said, '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. 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.' Earlier Tawazun Council and Airbus announced, during the Make it in the Emirates 2025, the strengthening of their strategic partnership through the launch of a national industrial capability development programme in the aerospace sector. Tawazun Council and Airbus strengthen partnership to manufacture C295 fuel tanks in UAE. The initiative aims to manufacture and supply Cargo Compartment Removable Tanks (CCRTs) in collaboration with EPI, a subsidiary of EDGE Group. In the presence of Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council, the agreement was signed by Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Operations at Tawazun Council, and Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East, in the presence of representatives from both sides. The programme aligns with the UAE's vision to expand its industrial footprint within global aerospace and defence supply chains by developing and producing mobile, multi-role fuel tanks for cargo compartments. These tanks will support aerial refuelling, ground support and extended-range missions with high efficiency. The initiative falls under the UAE's Tawazun Economic Programme, one of Tawazun Council's key strategic tools aimed at boosting local content and promoting technology transfer in the aviation and defence sectors. As part of this effort, the Council is supporting the exclusive serial production of this type of removable fuel tank over the next five years. The project involves Airbus Defence and Space sourcing from EPI to manufacture and assemble aerostructures and sub-assemblies, and to certify specialised production processes. Once fully developed, EPI will serve as the sole source supplier for these components, reinforcing the UAE's growing role as a key industrial partner in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Strata designs, manufactures radar antenna panel for Thales Emarat Technologies
21 May 2025 13:29 AL AIN (WAM) Strata Manufacturing has successfully designed and manufactured the Initial UHF Project (IUP) antenna panel for advanced radar systems, securing approval and delivery to Thales Emarat Technologies. The project was enabled by Tawazun Council under its Tawazun Economic Programme (offsets).This achievement marks a significant new chapter for Strata in the field of metallic product design and manufacturing. Over the past 15 years, Strata has excelled in advanced manufacturing, focusing on composite materials and carbon fibre for wide-body aircraft, satellites, and other high-tech Al Memari, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Strata Manufacturing, said, 'Our trust in Strata's talented teams and the exceptional capabilities of our engineers has enabled us to contribute significantly by designing the IUP radar antenna panel for Thales Emarat Technologies, becoming the first to leave our mark on this advanced global product."This accomplishment reflects the UAE's ambition to hold a prominent global position, leveraging its growing creative and technical capabilities as we continue our journey in shaping the future.'Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies and Thales in the UAE, stated, 'This milestone reflects the UAE's growing sovereignty in advanced manufacturing and technology, and we are excited to see how local capabilities continue to contribute to global innovation. Together, we are shaping the future by empowering local talent and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leader on the world stage." The IUP antenna panel is the first project fully designed and manufactured by Strata, with substantial contributions from its national engineering talent. The team combined design expertise, engineering excellence, and a spirit of innovation to complete the metallic structure's design, meeting Thales' rigorous requirements and processes.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GAL unites with Thales Emarat Technologies to advance defeense and Aerospace sector capabilities inn the UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), a leading provider of integrated aerospace and defense services in the UAE, signed multi-year partnership with Thales Emarat Technologies (Thales) to enhance Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) support and explore opportunities for further cooperation in fostering development for the defense and aerospace sector in the UAE. Under the terms of this four-year agreement, Thales and GAL will explore ways to improve and strengthen support for the MPA platform currently in service within the UAE forces, in particular, the supply and implementation of resources needed to improve operational availability. Both parties will also discuss the prospect of offering new systems for both existing and new MPA platforms. Furthermore, together, they have also reinforced their commitment to employee skills development with their cooperation on GAL's recently launched 'Next 50 Initiative,' a multi-year program aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of aspiring Emirati aerospace professionals by offering specialized training on aircraft engine maintenance, avionics, engineering principles, and operational best practices. Thales will support the initiative with extensive training and on-site education at their global facilities. Mahmood Alhay Alhameli, Chief Executive Officer at GAL commented, 'Partnering with Thales allows us to combine our expertise and capabilities to further collaborate on the digitalization of operations related to mission systems and maintenance and support solutions for MPA platforms. Looking towards the future, our cooperation in training the next generation of talent ensures that at GAL, we are continuously equipping and advancing capabilities for the defense and aerospace sector in the UAE. Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Emarat Technologies and Thales in the UAE went on to say, 'We're very proud to be partnering GAL. I am confident that we will not only improve response time and flexibility, but also readiness. Thales is celebrating 50 years in the UAE this year, and it is the trust that our partners have in us for the integration of trusted innovation, high-tech manufacturing, and localized knowledge transfer that ensures we're directly contributing to the UAE's national security objectives.' About GAL Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) is a leading provider of integrated aerospace and defense services, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Established in 2007 and 100% UAE-owned, GAL is the core service provider for the UAE Ministry of Defense and hold several maintenance and service contracts across the region. With a team of over 5,000 employees from 71 nationalities, GAL offers a wide range of military-specific support services including maintenance, overhaul, and inspections to ensure the operator's assets are at peak mission readiness. About Thales Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G. Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion. About Thales Emarat Technologies (TET) Thales Emarat Technologies (TET) is a strategic defence asset, committed to facilitating sustainable technology transfer while fostering the creation of local jobs and developing local talent. The long-term vision for TET is to establish itself as a trade and export hub catering to the broader region. TET features three centres of excellence: Radar, Defence Services, and Digital. Through these centres, TET is focused on developing sovereign capabilities in radar systems, cybersecurity, and various digital activities.
