Thales to Set Up Advanced Ground Master Air Surveillance Radar Production Facility in UAE by 2027

In a significant boost to the United Arab Emirates’ defence manufacturing sector, Thales, a global leader in defence and aerospace technologies, has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art production facility in the UAE for its renowned Ground Master series of air surveillance radars. This strategic agreement was formalised between Tawazun Council and Thales during the prestigious “Make it in the Emirates 2025” event.

This initiative is part of the Tawazun Economic Program, which aims to strengthen the UAE’s defence industrial base, support technological self-sufficiency, and enhance local manufacturing capabilities. The upcoming facility will be managed by Thales Emarat Technologies and is scheduled to become fully operational by 2027.

Once established, the new production centre will assemble, test, and qualify cutting-edge radar systems not just for the UAE’s defence needs but also for potential export markets. This marks a major step in reinforcing the country’s technological sovereignty and fostering a competitive local defence ecosystem.

The Ground Master radar series is globally recognised for its high performance, reliability, and versatility. These radars are designed for a variety of missions, including air defence surveillance, early warning, and tactical airspace control.

Key Specifications of Ground Master Radars:

• High Detection Range: Capable of detecting aerial threats such as fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles at ranges exceeding 470 kilometres depending on the variant.

• 3D AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) Technology: Ensures rapid detection, simultaneous tracking, and precise target location data in three dimensions.

• Mobility: Most Ground Master variants are vehicle-mounted and easily transportable by road, rail, or air, making them ideal for both fixed and mobile operations.

• Rapid Deployment: Can be operational within 15 minutes, providing quick airspace coverage in crisis scenarios.

• All-Weather Performance: Designed to operate effectively in extreme temperatures, sandstorms, and challenging desert environments, tailored for regions like the Middle East.

• Advanced Threat Detection: Capable of identifying low, medium, and high-altitude threats, including stealthy or low-RCS (Radar Cross-Section) targets.

Commenting on the development, Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council, highlighted that this expansion underlines the UAE’s leadership in advanced defence technologies and reflects the country’s strategic focus on developing sovereign capabilities in air surveillance systems.

Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems at Thales, expressed pride in the company’s ongoing contribution to the UAE’s defence industrial growth. He emphasised that the new Radar Centre of Excellence would not only handle production but also cover integration, testing, manufacturing, and lifecycle support services for these sophisticated radar systems.

A key component of this initiative is the commitment to promoting long-term self-reliance. Thales plans to invest in training programmes aimed at cultivating Emirati talent and qualifying local suppliers, ensuring that domestic companies have the skills and infrastructure needed to support and eventually lead in advanced radar technology development.

This upcoming production facility is expected to become a strategic asset in both strengthening the UAE’s national security infrastructure and enhancing the nation’s position as a hub for advanced defence manufacturing in the region.