Uae Unveils New Defense Frontier With European Missile Giants Us Expansion

Dubai Airshow Day 3: UAE’s Defense Industry Continues to Grow

The third day of the 2025 Dubai Airshow saw the United Arab Emirates’ defense industry making significant strides, with European missile defense giant MBDA announcing a new wholly-owned subsidiary in the UAE that will focus on developing loitering munitions and missiles. This move marks a major expansion for the firm outside Europe and is seen as a significant step forward for the UAE’s domestic defense industry.

MBDA’s vice president for the Middle East, Patrice Hajjar, stated during a briefing that the new subsidiary will be established next year with the objective of increasing the company’s presence in the region. The firm plans to leverage on the local capability and industrial capacity of the UAE, working closely with other stakeholders such as EDGE Group and Calidus to integrate their systems.

The new subsidiary will absorb MBDA’s existing Missile Engineering Center in the UAE, as well as other projects currently underway in the country. Hajjar praised the UAE’s Tawazun Council for its support of this move, highlighting it as a key factor in the decision. The council is a governmental entity that essentially fills the role of defense contractor, operating Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) where research and development operations with international firms take place to produce UAE national intellectual property for defense platforms.

One of the key projects being developed by MBDA’s new subsidiary is a black, diamond-shaped loitering munition. The weapon was codeveloped with Tawazun in the Missile Excellence Center, and Hajjar described it as having “technology maturity which is quite high.” However, he noted that further development and testing were needed, and that the company would be investing additional resources to finalize the design.

In addition to its work on loitering munitions, MBDA is also developing thermal batteries for use in missiles. These batteries provide high power needed for rocket and missile operations, and Hajjar praised French manufacturer ASB Group as a world leader in this field. The company plans to launch a thermal battery factory in the UAE, using ASB’s technology to produce internal batteries for production facilities.

This move is seen as a major step forward for the UAE’s defense industry, marking a significant expansion for MBDA outside of Europe. The firm’s decision to establish a new subsidiary in the region will provide a boost to local businesses and talent, cementing the UAE’s position as a key player in the global defense market.

The Dubai Airshow has also seen several other major developments in the aerospace industry, including Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, which has been generating buzz due to its potential sale to Saudi Arabia. The F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, with capabilities that include advanced radar systems and stealth technology.

Russia pitches its Su-57 Sukhoi as an alternative to the F-35, highlighting its own stealth capabilities and advanced avionics. China’s Wing Loong WL-X is another contender for the global airpower market, as the country seeks to develop its own hunter-killer drones to counter American systems like the MQ-9 Reaper. Russia’s Zala Lancet drone acts as both a loitering munition and a surveillance tool, offering a versatile capability that could be used in various contexts.

Additionally, EDGE Group subsidiary UAE Space Company (UASC) has announced plans to launch a satellite constellation from the Dubai Airshow. The company aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity across the region, with the potential to become one of the leading players in the global satellite market. The launch is seen as a major step forward for the UAE’s space program, which has been rapidly expanding in recent years.

The international airshow provides a unique platform for countries and firms from around the world to come together and do business, despite tensions between some nations. Ukrainians and Russians met at the Dubai Airshow, discussing business deals and highlighting shared interests in defense technology. However, tensions between the two nations remain high, and it remains to be seen whether the Dubai Airshow will provide a forum for constructive dialogue or simply serve as a platform for competing business interests.

The UAE’s defense industry is on the rise, with significant developments being made at the Dubai Airshow. The move by MBDA marks a major expansion for the firm outside of Europe and is expected to have a positive impact on local businesses and talent. As the airshow continues, it remains to be seen how other countries and firms will respond to these moves, but one thing is clear: the UAE’s defense industry is poised for continued growth and innovation.