Tawazun Signs Agreement with Thales to Boost Local Optronics Maintenance
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 Program, 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 Program. 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, specialized 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 Program’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, localization, and industrial resilience.
