Tawazun Council, an economic programme of the UAE government, announced the signing of an agreement with Saab, the UAE’s leading defence and security company, to establish a sovereign additive manufacturing capability for the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD), with the goal of efficiently designing and manufacturing spare parts.
The agreement aims to meet several policy guidelines outlined as part of Tawazun’s Economic Programme objectives, such as providing strategic benefits to the UAE, encouraging knowledge transfer, building new capabilities, creating employment opportunities for UAE nationals, and prioritising aerospace and additive manufacturing.
Building Additive manufacturing capability for UAE Air Defence
In the presence of a number of senior officials, Abdullah Saif Al Awani, Chief Economic Programme Officer at Tawazun Council, and Anna-Karin Rosén, Managing Director of Saab in the UAE, signed the agreement at Tawazun Chalet.
This follows the announcement of the first Emirati 3D printing Centre of Excellence “Sindan” during IDEX 2023.
The partnership will make the UAE AFAD more self-reliant and less reliant on overseas suppliers by empowering it with the sovereign additive manufacturing capability to 3D print parts, reducing lead-time and costs for components to be delivered, and increasing the uptime and availability of critical military assets.
Tawazun Council’s ongoing efforts to develop and manage strategic partnerships in the defence industry sector, which have significant economic implications for the UAE, according to Abdullah Al Awani, are reflected in the partnership.
Abdullah Al Awani commented, “This collaboration benefits all parties by creating value through locally manufactured products, promoting self-sufficiency and human capability development, and supporting local manufacturing. Additionally, it facilitates the transfer of technology and enhances the UAE’s sovereign capabilities in the areas of air force and air defence.”
“Saab is deeply committed to being an important strategic partner to the UAE’s AFAD, and we are honoured by the prospect of cooperating with Tawazun Council as it seeks to strengthen sovereign manufacturing capabilities that will ensure sustainable growth of the defence sector.”
– Anna-Karin Rosén, Managing Director (UAE), Saab
Anna-Karin added, “Our agreement is poised to accomplish this, while also leveraging the promising potential of the nation’s workforce by providing UAE nationals with high value training and employment opportunities that will equip them with the skills to lead and further develop the industry for years to come.”
