Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement (Tawazun) and Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) have signed a collaborative agreement to strengthen the fields of research, development, and innovation.
The agreement supports the advancement of high-impact technological capabilities across the UAE’s defense and security sectors.
Under the agreement, both parties will develop joint programs and initiatives focused on accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, including AI, autonomous systems, secure communications, and advanced materials.
According to the statement, it also aims to translate scientific research into practical applications that support national security priorities and contribute to building a knowledge-based innovation ecosystem.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the readiness of the defense sector by leveraging local expertise and directing resources towards initiatives that reinforce national content and data-driven decision-making.
Shahab Issa Abu Shahab Director-General – ATRC
“Advanced technologies are playing an increasingly rapid role in supporting various industries, both defense and civilian. This calls for a reformulation of research and development methodologies to keep pace with this growing interconnectedness. Through our partnership with the Tawazun Council, we seek to enhance integration between the two sides in a way that drives innovation in vital sectors such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications. The exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two sectors remains a fundamental pillar for developing innovative solutions capable of meeting future demands.”
The agreement between Tawazun and ATRC underscores the UAE’s forward-looking approach to integrating advanced technologies across sectors of strategic importance.
By leaning on ATRC’s cutting-edge R&D capabilities and growing pipeline of locally nurtured talent, national sovereign entities like Tawazun are driving collaborative innovation that reinforces the country’s security architecture, accelerating the shift toward a diversified, knowledge-driven economy.
Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Operations at Tawazun, stated that, “An effective R&D ecosystem in the defense sector depends on integration between national institutions and the strategic alignment of capabilities. This partnership with ATRC marks a strategic step towards unifying institutional efforts by connecting the ATRC’s advanced research capacities with Tawazun’s national priorities, in line with the evolving security and defense needs of the UAE.”
“This initiative aims to accelerate technological advancement in the defense sector by focusing on priority areas, empowering Emirati talent, and strengthening collaboration between government entities, research centres, and industry. The goal is to ensure a tangible and lasting impact on the UAE’s national defense ecosystem,” Al Hashmi added.
