According to a statement released on November 17, 2019, French firms MBDA France and Dassault Aviation are set to sign agreements with Tawazun Economic Council to open up a missile engineering facility and flight testing centre in the UAE (United Arab Emirates).

MBDA and Dassault Aviation are set to sign agreements with Tawazun Economic Council. (Picture source Army Recognition)

In 2011, French Company MBDA had already signed a contract with Tawazun Precision Industries (TPI), a Tawazun Holding subsidiary specialised in the manufacture of metallic components for Aerospace/ Aviation, Defence, and Oil & Gas industries, for the manufacture of various components related to the Marte family of missiles.

A statement said: “As Tawazun commits to promoting innovations to aid future growth and expansion in the UAE, this facility will play a pivotal role in laying the foundation for future programs of flight-testing in the region, to support integration and development for the defence sector.”

Tawazun will also sign an agreement with Dassault Aviation to set up a flight testing centre in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, it said.

Tawazun also announced an agreement between Italy's aerospace and defence giant, Leonardo SPA and Abu Dhabi Aviation Training Centre (ADATC) for the latter to house the AW169 and AW139 pilot training simulators.

On November 5, 2019, United Arab Emirates announced the formation of a government-controlled defense industry conglomerate under the brand name of "EDGE". The new Industrial Group EDGE will incorporate 22 private companies and subsidiaries of government-owned Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG) as well as Tawazun Holding.