The Tawazun Economic Council and Saab, a renowned defence and security company in the UAE, have signed an agreement to establish a sovereign additive manufacturing capability, also known as 3D printing, for the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD). The agreement aims to efficiently design and manufacture spare parts, making the AFAD more self-reliant and less dependent on overseas suppliers, reducing lead time and costs for components, and increasing the uptime and availability of crucial military assets.
The agreement was signed at the Tawazun Chalet at IDEX 2023 and NAVDEX 2023, in the presence of senior officials, by Abdullah Saif Al Awani, Chief Economic Programme Officer at Tawazun Council, and Anna-Karin Rosén, Managing Director of Saab in the UAE. This initiative supports several policy guidelines outlined as part of Tawazun’s Economic Programme objectives, including providing strategic benefits to the UAE, encouraging knowledge transfer, building new capabilities, creating employment opportunities for UAE nationals, and targeting aerospace and additive manufacturing as priority sectors.
The partnership follows the launch of the first Emirati 3D printing Centre of Excellence, Sindan, announced during IDEX 2023. This collaboration benefits all parties by creating value through locally manufactured products, promoting self-sufficiency and human capability development, and supporting local manufacturing. It also facilitates the transfer of technology and enhances the UAE’s sovereign capabilities in the areas of the air force and air defence.
Abdullah Al Awani, in his statement, highlighted that the partnership reflects Tawazun Council’s ongoing efforts to develop and manage strategic partnerships in the defence industry sector, which have significant economic implications for the UAE. This agreement is a step towards achieving the country’s goal of becoming a leader in advanced manufacturing technologies, as it encourages the growth of the aerospace industry and strengthens the country’s technological capabilities.
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