Latest news with #ThalesEmaratTechnologies
Broadcast Pro
22-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Strata delivers first UAE-designed radar panel to Thales
Strata led the entire process-from design and development to manufacturing and final testing-meeting Thales' stringent requirements. Strata Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company and a key player in the UAE's advanced manufacturing sector, has achieved a major engineering breakthrough with the design and production of the Initial UHF Project (IUP) radar antenna panel. Developed at Stratas Al Ain facility, the panel has now been delivered and approved by Thales Emarat Technologies. The project, part of the Tawazun Economic Programme and backed by Tawazun Council, highlights the UAEs strategic push to enhance local industrial capabilities in defence and high-tech sectors. The newly delivered antenna panel represents Stratas first fully in-house designed and manufactured radar component, showcasing the firm's growing expertise beyond its established focus on composite materials and carbon fibre used in aerospace and satellite applications. Thales Emarat Technologies, a UAE-based subsidiary of Thales, partnered with Strata under the offset initiative to localise production and reinforce national sovereignty in advanced technologies. This collaboration is part of Thales' broader regional strategy, supported by Tawazun Council, to elevate UAE's industrial base. On this occasion, Sara Al Memari, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Strata Manufacturing, commented: 'Our trust in Strata's talented teams and the exceptional capabilities of our engineers has enabled us to contribute significantly by designing the IUP radar antenna panel for Thales Emarat Technologies, becoming the first to leave our mark on this advanced global product. This accomplishment reflects the UAE's ambition to hold a prominent global position, leveraging its growing creative and technical capabilities as we continue our journey in shaping the future.' Sara also extended her gratitude to the project team at Strata, whose engineers and specialists worked across various disciplines to leave a proud Emirati mark in the field of advanced radar and satellite manufacturing. She added: 'It is with immense pride that the radar antenna panel, designed for Thales, bears the Strata Manufacturing emblem.' Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies and Thales in the UAE, stated: 'Thales is proud to be partnered with Strata, a key player in the UAE's industrialisation and localisation efforts. This milestone reflects the UAE's growing sovereignty in advanced manufacturing and technology, and we are excited to see how local capabilities continue to contribute to global innovation. Together, we are shaping the future by empowering local talent and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leader on the world stage.' The IUP antenna panel is the first project fully designed and manufactured by Strata, with substantial contributions from its national engineering talent. The team combined design expertise, engineering excellence, and a spirit of innovation to complete the metallic structures design, meeting Thales rigorous requirements and processes. Strata, based in Al Ain, was chosen to lead the design and manufacturing of this innovative radar panel. The company successfully completed the design phases, manufacturing, and secured approvals from Thales. The panel's construction was finalized in December 2024 and has passed factory acceptance tests. It will be installed at Thales' designated site.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Enabled by Tawazun Economic Programme, Strata designs and manufacture the radar antenna panel for Tthales Emarat Technologies
Al Ain, UAE – Strata Manufacturing PJSC ('Strata'), wholly owned by the Mubadala Investment Company and a leader in advanced manufacturing within the United Arab Emirates, has achieved a new milestone in engineering and design. Harnessing its creative and engineering capabilities at Al Ain facility, Strata has successfully designed and manufactured the Initial UHF Project (IUP) antenna panel for advanced radar systems, securing approval and delivery to Thales Emarat Technologies. The project was enabled by Tawazun Council under its Tawazun Economic Programme (offsets). This achievement marks a significant new chapter for Strata in the field of metallic product design and manufacturing. Over the past 15 years, Strata has excelled in advanced manufacturing, focusing on composite materials and carbon fibre for wide-body aircraft, satellites, and other high-tech industries. The radar antenna panel is part of the Initial UHF Project, classified as an offset initiative under the Tawazun Economic Program. This project has been enabled by Tawazun Council with the aim of advancing national industrial capabilities. Notably, Thales Emarat Technologies is a fully owned subsidiary of Thales in the UAE. 'Landed Company,' which was enabled by the Tawazun Economic Program, is undertaking this project as part of its global plan to expand its capabilities in the region from the UAE. This reflects a joint commitment with Tawazun Council to empower local suppliers and foster innovation in the defense and technology sectors. On this occasion, Sara Al Memari, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Strata Manufacturing commented: 'Our trust in Strata's talented teams and the exceptional capabilities of our engineers has enabled us to contribute significantly by designing the IUP radar antenna panel for Thales Emarat Technologies, becoming the first to leave our mark on this advanced global product. This accomplishment reflects the UAE's ambition to hold a prominent global position, leveraging its growing creative and technical capabilities as we continue our journey in shaping the future.' Sara also extended her gratitude to the project team at Strata, whose engineers and specialists worked across various disciplines to leave a proud Emirati mark in the field of advanced radar and satellite manufacturing. she added: 'It is with immense pride that the radar antenna panel, designed for Thales, bears the Strata Manufacturing emblem.' 'Thales is proud to be partnered with Strata, a key player in the UAE's industrialisation and localisation efforts. This milestone reflects the UAE's growing sovereignty in advanced manufacturing and technology, and we are excited to see how local capabilities continue to contribute to global innovation. Together, we are shaping the future by empowering local talent and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leader on the world stage." commented Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies and Thales in the UAE. The IUP antenna panel is the first project fully designed and manufactured by Strata, with substantial contributions from its national engineering talent. The team combined design expertise, engineering excellence, and a spirit of innovation to complete the metallic structure's design, meeting Thales' rigorous requirements and processes. Strata, based in Al Ain, was chosen to lead the design and manufacturing of this innovative radar panel. The company successfully completed the design phases, manufacturing, and secured approvals from Thales. The panel's construction was finalized in December 2024 and has passed factory acceptance tests. It will be installed at Thales' designated site. Strata's consistent commitment to delivering world-class, high-quality products highlights the UAE's industrial capabilities, cementing its position as a strategic global partner in advanced manufacturing. Thales, global leader in designing and building electronic systems for aerospace, defense, and security, has had a long standing presense of 50 years in the UAE, and is among the most prominent companies in the field. Thales Emarat Technologies was established as a landed company owned by Thales in 2019, embodying the vision of the Tawazun Coucil for the UAE defense ecosystem. It is a strategic defense asset that plays a key role in supporting the UAE's vision for national sovereignty through trusted innovation and industrial excellence.
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Strata designs, manufactures radar antenna panel for Thales Emarat Technologies
21 May 2025 13:29 AL AIN (WAM) Strata Manufacturing has successfully designed and manufactured the Initial UHF Project (IUP) antenna panel for advanced radar systems, securing approval and delivery to Thales Emarat Technologies. The project was enabled by Tawazun Council under its Tawazun Economic Programme (offsets).This achievement marks a significant new chapter for Strata in the field of metallic product design and manufacturing. Over the past 15 years, Strata has excelled in advanced manufacturing, focusing on composite materials and carbon fibre for wide-body aircraft, satellites, and other high-tech Al Memari, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Strata Manufacturing, said, 'Our trust in Strata's talented teams and the exceptional capabilities of our engineers has enabled us to contribute significantly by designing the IUP radar antenna panel for Thales Emarat Technologies, becoming the first to leave our mark on this advanced global product."This accomplishment reflects the UAE's ambition to hold a prominent global position, leveraging its growing creative and technical capabilities as we continue our journey in shaping the future.'Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies and Thales in the UAE, stated, 'This milestone reflects the UAE's growing sovereignty in advanced manufacturing and technology, and we are excited to see how local capabilities continue to contribute to global innovation. Together, we are shaping the future by empowering local talent and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leader on the world stage." The IUP antenna panel is the first project fully designed and manufactured by Strata, with substantial contributions from its national engineering talent. The team combined design expertise, engineering excellence, and a spirit of innovation to complete the metallic structure's design, meeting Thales' rigorous requirements and processes.
The National
23-02-2025
- Business
- The National
France's Thales to produce radar antennas in UAE this year for domestic and export sales
French defence and technology group Thales plans to produce radar antennas in the UAE this year for domestic sales and export to global markets, as the UAE seeks more local manufacturing contracts and technical know-how transfers in its deals with international defence suppliers. The company's wholly-owned unit Thales Emarat Technologies aims to double its workforce this year to 340 people, with 30 per cent of the new hires to be Emiratis, Pascale Sourisse, senior executive vice-president of international development at Thales, told The National. That is up from the current Emiratisation rate of 20 per cent. Thales is also working with local universities to source Emirati talent, mainly engineers, for high-tech jobs. The radar factory project, first announced in 2021, is 'targeted towards the needs of the UAE but also to make sure that this radar competence centre will be included in Thales' global network of competence centres and it will produce radar antennas that we plan to definitely also sell to non-UAE customers', Ms Sourisse said. 'We are not limiting the market potential only to the region. Thales markets radars all over the world and this UAE competence centre will be used in the Thales global supply chain … our hope is to start producing elements in the year to come and start having the capacity to contribute to some programmes.' The company plans to capitalise on the UAE's strategic position as an export hub to its customers around the world so that it can maintain 'sustainable and competitive' operations and guarantee continuing work loads that will not be impacted by the length of its programmes in the UAE, Ms Sourisse said. The move comes as the UAE pushes to develop its own military production capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The strategy is intended to diversify its economy from the oil sector, create more jobs for its citizens, attract highly-skilled workers and become part of the global industrial supply chains. 'It's essential to build capabilities in-country and to give the UAE the possibility to really master the systems that they are going to use in the future, so we are constantly interacting with the UAE Armed Forces and authorities to support them in this direction and working a lot on the questions of sovereignty and localising competencies in-country,' Ms Sourisse said. Europe's largest defence technology company specialises in aerospace, satellites, cyber security and digital security. Thales Emarat Technologies works in three main areas of radar technology, digital services such as radio communications and defence. 'We plan to grow all these activities and we are actually quite optimistic and positive on the discussions we've had with the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces that they are counting on us to grow the competencies and capabilities here in the UAE in all these three spheres,' Ms Sourisse said. "Each time they acquire a solution, they want Thales to commit to not only local production, but also to rely on local teams to service and maintain the installed base." The company sees a 'great opportunity' to strengthen its activities in the UAE with artificial intelligence-embedded defence equipment and training Emiratis for its use, Ms Sourisse said. 'AI will be using data that is coming from our military users and this data is very sensitive and sometimes, it is classified. It therefore makes sense to ensure that the work in AI can be performed by Emirati citizens,' she said. 'We are definitely planning on developing competencies in AI to be embedded in the systems we supply to the UAE and to have competencies in the UAE.' Since AI must be trained based on data from the users and since the UAE is emphasising creation of jobs for citizens, Thales is seeking to hire and train Emirati engineers for such jobs, she said. Thales has more than 600 experts globally working on AI in mission-critical systems and expects that number to grow 'tremendously' in the future, she said. Thales, which says it is among the top five globally for cyber security, identified the intensification of geopolitical conflicts, the implementation of AI and growing digital reliance as the main challenges this year facing sectors such as energy, finance and transport, in its January report on cyber security. 'We are offering mission-critical systems to our customers, so they need to be cyber secure … our systems embed more and more AI. And AI is not only a question for the future, we area already working on it … we are developing AI solutions for critical missions, so security and lives are at stake,' Ms Sourisse said. 'This kind of AI needs to be trustable and transparent.' AI is embedded in more than 100 of Thales' products, such as radars and the reconnaissance pods below an aircraft, she added. Use of AI in defence systems raises two risks including the threat of hacking and therefore must be cyber-secured, and it must also be certified for safety as lives are at stake, she said. Political tension in Europe, arising from Russia-Ukraine war and Washington's push for European countries to spend more on protecting themselves is set to boost growth for defence manufacturers, according to some companies such as Swedish conglomerate Saab. Thales is tracking a similar trend and plans to increase its spending on new products in response to growing market requirements. 'Yes, we are expecting a higher level of demand from a number of customers, certainly in Europe, but our defence markets are growing pretty much everywhere in the world and we plan to see additional investments in developing new solutions,' Ms Sourisse said. Thales is spending 20 per cent of its annual revenue on research and development (R&D), she said. With annual sales revenue of €20 billion ($20.9 billion), this translates into €4 billion of investment into R&D. 'We see that growing in the future, we plan to reach about €5 billion on investment in R&D by 2028 globally,' she said.
