Tawazun & South Korea’s LIG to Develop Defence in Abu Dhabi

Plans to develop a global defence manufacturing hub in Abu Dhabi are advancing through a new agreement focused on building local industry capabilities. The memorandum of understanding was signed between Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement and LIG Defence and Aerospace to explore cooperation across defence and security manufacturing. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Make it in the Emirates 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The partnership centres on the establishment of a locally incorporated “landed company”, alongside joint work in research and development, manufacturing, maintenance, and supply chain integration. The structure is intended to support the expansion of defence production and related industrial activity.
Officials said the collaboration is designed to strengthen long-term capabilities in areas such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul, while enhancing integration within global defence supply chains.
Recent agreements in the sector include a deal with Embraer for up to 20 C-390 military transport aircraft, valued at around USD 1 billion, with 10 confirmed and options for an additional 10. Earlier in 2026, defence contracts worth approximately AED 879.8 million were signed during the UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions.
In 2025, Tawazun also secured agreements worth AED 18 billion during the Dubai Airshow, while a separate partnership between EDGE Group and Leonardo is set to establish a joint venture in the UAE focused on advanced defence systems.