IDEX 2021: UAE MoD, Tawazun, to collaborate on defence research and development

The UAE Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Tawazun signed an agreement on 24 February at the IDEX 2021 tradeshow that delegated management of defence and security research and development (R&D) planning and execution to Tawazun.

Matar Salim Ali Al Dhaheri, undersecretary of the MoD, said in a statement that the MoD “has an established relationship with Tawazun, and this is a step forward in furthering co-operation and partnership between the two parties”.

Al Dhaheri added that under the MoU, “the ministry will be responsible for all defence policymaking in relation to R&D, while Tawazun has an enhanced mandate and responsibility to manage the defence R&D programmes in the UAE”.

Janes understands that the priority areas for the UAE’s military under the agreement include autonomous system technologies, as well as radars, electronic warfare and intelligence systems, missile and weapons systems, C4ISR systems, and platforms. The agreement also covers dual-use technologies.

“The MoD and Tawazun have been working together to clearly define the roles of entities for R&D and Intellectual Property (IP) management. Consequently, we have been shaping and developing an R&D strategy for the defence and security sectors, focusing on targeted specific areas of the ecosystem,” said Tawazun CEO Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani.

“Based on our analysis of the existing ‘in-country’ capabilities, the R&D portfolio will include a range of short- and long-term projects from basic and applied research through to prototypes and product development to achieve our national objectives. The definition of the R&D projects will be aligned with the prioritised sectors in defence and security,” he added.

The agreement between the two organisations will also allow for the development of a wider R&D base through facilitating collaboration between universities and private companies.