UAE Expands Defense Capabilities with MBDA and FLY-R Partnerships

MBDA and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement have launched a series of industrial projects to localize defense technologies in the United Arab Emirates. The initiatives include the establishment of a fully owned MBDA subsidiary, a co-development program with FLY-R to design and industrialize a new loitering munition, and a thermal battery manufacturing facility. The projects reflect the depth of the strategic partnership between MBDA and the UAE, and are expected to advance Emirati capabilities in sensitive defense technologies. The announcement was made during the Dubai Airshow 2025, as reported by AeroTime.