Strategic Agreement Enhances UAE’s Defense Capabilities Amid Rising Drone Threats
The Tawazun Council, the United Arab Emirates’ procurement authority, has officially signed a term sheet with Raytheon to coproduce the Coyote counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) in the Emirates. This agreement, signed on Monday, advances a previous cooperation venture initiated in 2023 aimed at localizing c-UAS technology in Abu Dhabi.
Bolstering Defense Collaboration and Innovation
Fahad Al Mheiri, managing director of Raytheon Emirates, emphasized the significance of the agreement on LinkedIn, stating, “This agreement supports the US defense industrial base by delivering increased capacity and resilience in a high-demand mission area.” He highlighted the partnership with Tawazun as crucial for fostering innovation and readiness, underscoring a collective vision for trusted collaboration.
The U.S. Mission to the UAE also expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, describing the signing as an “exciting step” that bolsters security and economic cooperation between the two nations.
Rising Demand for Counter-UAS Technology
The growing interest in counter-drone systems has surged in recent years, particularly as lethal loitering munitions and small surveillance drones have become prevalent in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. The urgency for effective countermeasures was underscored in 2022 when the UAE faced attacks from the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, featuring drone and missile barrages.
Raytheon’s Coyote system is marketed as a compact, rail-launched missile powered by a turbine engine. It comes in both kinetic and non-kinetic variants, capable of being deployed from land or sea platforms, further enhancing operational versatility.
Localizing Defense Production in the UAE
The Tawazun Council is committed to the localization of defense production in the UAE through joint ventures with international firms and research and development agreements at Tawazun Industrial Park. This initiative aligns with the “Make it in the Emirates” program, which aims to promote local defense manufacturing capabilities.
In addition to the agreement with Raytheon, Tawazun has established collaborations with other international defense companies, including a partnership with Sweden’s Saab to produce radar systems and remote network masts, as well as an agreement with European defense contractor MBDA for the local production of missiles and loitering munitions.
As the UAE strengthens its defense industry through such strategic partnerships, the focus on local capabilities in counter-UAS technology positions the nation to effectively address emerging threats in an increasingly complex security environment.
