Emirates Defence Contractors Council discusses future of defence industry

The Emirates Defence Contractors Council, EDCC, held its 6th meeting in Abu Dhabi today, under the Chairmanship of Tareq Abdul Rahim Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the strategic partner in the defence manufacturing industries sector.

The meeting, themed 'Reshaping the future of defense industry in the UAE', was attended by representatives from government agencies and member companies.

In his opening speech, Tareq Al Hosani highlighted the EDCC’s approach to realising its objectives as a platform that combines key players in the UAE’s defence manufacturing sector.

"The EDCC is determined to work with its key partners, namely; the Ministry of Defence and the GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces, to carve out a clearly defined strategy for defence industries, paving the way for the suppliers of defence products and services to contribute to the development of this vital industry," he said.

In his keynote speech, Major General (Rtd.) Khalid Abdullah Al Buainain Al Mazroeui, Advisor at the Office of His Highness the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, outlined the ingredients necessary to develop a technology infrastructure for the defense industries in the UAE.

A presentation made by Major General Ishaq Al Baloushi, Head of Defense Manufacturing and Capabilities Development at the Ministry of Defense, tackled the future of defense industries from the Ministry’s perspective.

Other presentations on the future outlook of Emirates Defence Industries Company, EDIC, and on the modern trends of defense and aerospace industries were given respectively by Fahad Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi, Director of Business Development, EDIC, and Majdi Bouchekoua, Senior Manager at Tawazun Economic Council’s Research Centre.

Tareq Al Hosani and other speakers attended a panel on the private sector’s role in the UAE’s defence industry, which was moderated by Sultan Abdulla Al Samahi, Senior Manager at Tawazun Economic Council.