The Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement (Tawazun) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with French vehicle testing, validation, and certification company UTAC to explore opportunities for cooperation and assess the potential establishment of the company’s commercial presence in the UAE.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement, and Connor McCormack, Group CEO of UTAC.
The LoI provides a framework for evaluating collaboration in vehicle testing, performance validation, approval, and certification, as well as research and development and mobility-related services. The initiative supports the development of an integrated vehicle testing ecosystem in the UAE.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will exchange expertise and information on their capabilities and strategic objectives, assess market demand for advanced vehicle testing services in the UAE and the wider region, and explore opportunities to collaborate with national entities on future projects.
The parties will also assess the feasibility of establishing a specialized vehicle test center in the UAE to support the defense, security, and industrial sectors.
The proposed facility would enhance the country’s testing, validation, and certification capabilities in line with international standards and industry best practices.
Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al Kaabi, CEO of Tawazun Quality and Conformity, remarked that, “Our discussions with UTAC will enable us to evaluate opportunities related to knowledge transfer, the development of specialized capabilities, and the enhancement of vehicle testing, validation, and certification services in the UAE.”
Al Kaabi added that developing advanced testing infrastructure would support the requirements of national entities and industrial partners while strengthening the UAE’s position as a destination for specialized technology, research, and industrial development.
Connor McCormack said that the Letter of Intent reflects a shared objective to strengthen vehicle testing, validation, and certification capabilities in the UAE and the wider region.
McCormack noted that the UTAC would leverage its technical expertise and international experience to support innovation, safety, and industrial development through the proposed collaboration.
The initiative forms part of Tawazun’s broader efforts to develop national capabilities, strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE’s defense and security industries, attract international expertise, and support knowledge transfer, technology localization, and sustainable industrial development.
