The partnership between the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement and LIG Defence and Aerospace targets the development of defence and security industry capabilities across the UAE. Under the agreement, the two parties will establish a locally incorporated entity known as a landed company to advance industrial capacity building in the country. Collaboration will span research and development, manufacturing operations, maintenance support and supply chain integration as outlined in the memorandum of understanding.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on the sidelines of the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi according to event participants. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, director general for industry development at Tawazun, said, “By attracting leading global companies to establish a presence in the UAE through a landed company structure, we are deepening industrial integration, strengthening national capabilities, and reinforcing the UAE’s position on the global defence map.” The pact additionally emphasises long-term cooperation in maintenance, repair and overhaul activities.
Gunhyuk Lee, MENA president at LIG D&A, said, “The UAE’s defence industrial ecosystem offers a compelling environment for global manufacturers to establish, scale, and innovate.” Lee added, “This MoU with Tawazun marks an important step in our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s national defence industrial growth, and we look forward to developing this partnership into a long-term and impactful collaboration.” His remarks came as part of the joint announcement detailing the agreement.
The UAE has accelerated defence partnerships in recent months with a number of global companies, Gulf News reported. These include a landmark deal with Embraer for up to 20 C-390 military transport aircraft with 10 confirmed and options for 10 more estimated at around $1 billion. Contracts worth Dh879.8 million were also signed at UMEX and SimTEX in 2026 for unmanned systems and advanced aircraft.
Tawazun secured deals worth Dh18 billion during the 2025 Dubai Airshow, equivalent to $4.9 billion, the council reported. A partnership between EDGE Group and Leonardo is set to establish a joint venture in the UAE to develop advanced defence systems. The series of agreements highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s defence manufacturing and technology base through international cooperation.
