Abu Dhabi to manufacture 20 unmanned aerial vehicles in region's first facility
Abu Dhabi opened a new facility, the first-of-its-kind in Mena, which aims to produce more than 20 high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The region's first High-Altitude Aerial Platform (HAPS) facility, opened by Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42, spans 4,500 sqm. The UAVs will support diverse applications spanning the civil, environmental, and defence sectors.
'Global demand for High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) technologies is growing rapidly, and Space42 seeks to consolidate its leadership in this field through carefully considered strategic investments,' said Khaled Al Marzouqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace.
The opening of the HAPS facility is part of UAE's drive to build sovereign capabilities in space technology, manufacturing, and research and development, in line with the objectives of the National Space Strategy 2030.
Space42 is the first company to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere via heavier-than-air platforms.
In February 2025, the company signed a cooperation agreement with Maydan X to establish a permanent test centre for high-altitude, long-duration drone flight experiments. In October 2024, the company developed two advanced payloads to support applications in environmental monitoring, disaster management, urban planning, and agriculture.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
38 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Huda Kattan reclaims ownership of Huda Beauty, buys back TSG stake
Image: Supplied TSG had acquired a minority stake in the Dubai-based company in 2017. With the repurchase, Kattan resumes full ownership of the brand she launched in 2013 with a $6,000 loan from her sister. The move places Huda Beauty among a small number of fully founder-owned beauty companies in the global market. 'Taking back full ownership of Huda Beauty is a deeply important moment for me,' Kattan said in a statement. 'This brand was built on passion, creativity, and a desire to challenge the beauty industry.' Huda Beauty plans new product launches Kattan, who serves as founder and Co-CEO, will now lead the company alongside her husband, Christopher Goncalo, who is co-CEO, and sister Alya Kattan, who oversees social strategy. Known for viral product drops and a digital-first strategy, Huda Beauty has become a powerhouse brand in the cosmetics industry, particularly in the Middle East and North America. The company's Instagram account is the most-followed beauty brand globally, with nearly 57 million followers, and its founder has gained global acclaim as a leading entrepreneur and influencer. The brand's philosophy, 'Beauty is Self-Made', has underpinned its appeal to a diverse global audience, with a focus on inclusivity, transparency and authenticity. Under Kattan's leadership, the company has phased out Photoshop and filters on social platforms, and championed realistic beauty standards. Kattan, a former makeup artist and beauty blogger, launched the company with a line of false eyelashes that quickly became a bestseller at Sephora Dubai Mall. The brand now offers a wide range of cult products, including the popular Easy Routine line, and is known for boundary-pushing content, tutorials and advocacy. The shift to full independence comes as Huda Beauty plans new product launches and continues to prioritise deeper engagement with its global community. Kattan recently launched a new podcast, Huda Hotline , offering unfiltered conversations about beauty, entrepreneurship and self-discovery. The terms of the buyback deal were not disclosed. Read:
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE companies highly confident about trade prospects despite global disruption: Survey
4 June 2025 00:23 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Companies in the UAE are among the most confident globally about their trade prospects despite ongoing geopolitical and supply chain turbulence, according to HSBC's 2025 Global Trade Pulse report – which surveyed more than 5,700 international firms across 13 countries – found that 94% of UAE-based businesses believe their operations will benefit from the shift in trade dynamics in the long surpasses the global average of 89%, putting the UAE just behind India (96%) in terms of optimism, and ahead of the US (93%).This sentiment comes amid a wider reshuffle in global trade patterns, as many companies grapple with increased costs and revenue pressures due to tariffs and supply chain UAE's positive outlook contrasts with a growing sense of caution in Western markets. For example, 51% of US firms surveyed expect supply chain disruptions to reduce their revenue by 25% or more. 'As trade policies continue to fluctuate, businesses are compelled to rethink their long-term strategies. The current landscape demands agility and foresight, with companies prioritising domestic markets and exploring new regions to mitigate risks,' the report stated.'These strategic shifts are crucial to maintaining competitiveness and ensuring business continuity in an unpredictable global economy.'The HSBC survey highlights a global trend of 'reshoring' and 'nearshoring', with 83% of companies planning to bring production closer to their customer bases. Companies in the US have been the most active in reshoring to date (44%), while companies in China are the most likely to be planning similar steps in the future (48%).'In parallel with these shifts in production strategy, the majority of businesses globally (nearly 90%) are also planning to diversify their supplier base – expanding across multiple regions to further reduce their exposure to tariffs and ongoing trade uncertainty,' the report said. While the financial impact of ongoing trade disruption is expected to be substantial and long-lasting, the HSBC survey highlights strong signs of resilience and of corporate all surveyed markets, 77% of companies say the uncertainty has prompted them to evolve and seek new is emerging as a core response strategy, according to the report. Nearly 9 in 10 businesses globally report they have already invested in or are planning to invest in tools to enhance supply chain visibility, adopt automation in production and logistics, or improve their use of data analytics. The same proportion of respondents are expanding into new markets, developing new products, adopting technology, or adjusting cost structures to respond to shifting trade dynamics. Nearly 60% of all respondents have already adopted a new technology or digital platform, while 56% improved internal efficiency or altered their cost base and 51% have developed new products or services.
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Kuwait Real Estate and IFA sign Dh198 million agreement with Darwish Engineering
Kuwait Real Estate Company, in collaboration with its subsidiary IFA Hotels and Resorts, has announced the signing of a contract with Darwish Engineering, one of the leading construction companies in the UAE, to develop the infrastructure works for its residential project 'Al Tay Hills' in Sharjah, with a total value of Dh198 million. The contract was signed through Qaryat Al Nakheel Real Estate, the executive arm of the project and a subsidiary of Kuwait Real Estate. The scope of work includes the design and implementation of core infrastructure, such as the construction of sewage networks, a wastewater treatment plant, two water pumping stations, in addition to road networks, stormwater drainage, and networks for electricity, telecommunications, and water. On this occasion, Khaled Esbaitah, Chairman of IFA Hotels and Resorts, stated: 'Our agreement with Darwish Engineering, a company with a strong track record in the construction sector, marks a significant milestone in our vision to develop integrated urban projects that elevate standards of quality and innovation in the real estate market.' He added: 'We are confident that this collaboration will bring a qualitative leap in the development of Al Tay Hills' infrastructure, enhancing its investment appeal and establishing it as a modern urban destination. We see this partnership as a pivotal step towards achieving our vision of building smart and sustainable residential communities.' Bahaa Al-Nahwi, General Manager of Darwish Engineering, emphasized that the contract to implement the infrastructure works for the 'Al Tay Hills' project represents a new strategic milestone that reflects their firm commitment to delivering integrated engineering solutions that elevate the standard of urban development projects in Sharjah. He noted that the company will mobilize all its expertise and technical resources to deliver this vital project according to the approved timeline and in alignment with the highest technical and engineering standards. Al Tay Hills is considered one of the largest residential projects in Sharjah, spanning over 6 million square feet and comprising 1,100 residential units, including villas and townhouses. It boasts a strategic location on Emirates Road and features the longest green river in the region, stretching 2.5 km. The first phase is expected to be delivered in Q1 2028. Since its launch, Al Tay Hills has recorded remarkable success, demonstrated by high investor and buyer interest, reflecting its prestigious position as one of the most prominent residential destinations in Sharjah. The increasing demand for luxury units that combine modern design with a prime location underscores the project's value. These results affirm the project's capability to meet the needs of customers seeking to invest in a comprehensive residential community offering a promising future vision.
