On the opening day of the 2025 Dubai Airshow, the UAE finalised AED 3.776 billion (around USD 1.03 billion) in defence and security agreements, underscoring its rising prominence in advanced military procurement and defence-industry capability building.
The Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement announced a total of eight agreements signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence with a mix of domestic and international companies.
The announcements were delivered by spokespersons Majed Ahmed Al Jaberi, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saeii and Manea Abdulkarim Al Mansoori.
They highlighted the crucial role of the Directorate of Planning and Procurement, which oversees contract execution, ensures strategic alignment, manages supplier engagement and strengthens operational efficiency across the UAE’s defence landscape.
Abdulla Al Saeedi outlined six UAE-based contracts worth AED 3.041 billion (approximately USD 830 million), all signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
The local agreements include an AED 1.294 billion deal with Global Air Navigation Services for air navigation services and specialised personnel; an AED 600 million contract with Global Aerospace Logistics for continued support, spare parts and technical services; and two contracts with International Golden Group worth AED 415 million for aircraft support and AED 299 million for the production of airdrop parachutes. Additional agreements include AED 293 million with Maximus Air to lease aircraft and AED 137 million with Abu Dhabi Shipping Agency for aircraft rental.
Manea Al Mansoori detailed two international contracts totalling AED 725 million (around USD 197.5 million).
These include AED 512 million awarded to Airbus Helicopters of France for H Care support services for helicopters, and AED 212 million awarded to Brazil’s Embraer to manufacture VIP aircraft.
Majed Al Jaberi said the contracts demonstrate Tawazun’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with both national and international defence companies, reinforcing the UAE’s integrated defence ecosystem and supporting long-term capability development.
