Partnership announced at Dubai Airshow 2025 reinforces joint ambitions to advance breakthrough technologies and deepen scientific collaboration between the UAE and France.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research centre of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has formalised a Collaboration Agreement with Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, to accelerate progress in quantum research, autonomous systems and directed energy solutions. Signed during the Dubai Airshow, the agreement sets out a long-term framework for shared research and development aimed at delivering innovative technologies and practical, real-world implementations.
The collaboration highlights the UAE’s strategic commitment to building robust, sovereign research and development capabilities, while reinforcing the nation’s role as a driving force in international scientific cooperation. Partnering with Thales, headquartered in Paris, strengthens bilateral UAE–France engagement in high-impact technologies. The agreement also reflects TII’s growing status as a leading global research hub and Thales’ continued dedication to advancing applied science through strategic partnerships.
The agreement focuses on several advanced technology areas in which both parties have complementary expertise:
- Quantum Sensing: Development of ultra-precise sensing technologies (gravimetry, magnetometry, and navigation) using quantum physics principles
- Advanced Autonomous Systems: Cross-domain robotics and autonomous mobility (air, land, sea, and space), focusing on swarm coordination, adaptive autonomy, AI-driven mission execution and advanced Command and Control Systems
- Advanced Laser and Power Generation Technologies: High-energy laser systems, advanced beam control, and compact, scalable power sources for future power beaming and defense applications.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said: “We are on a mission to accelerate R&D in frontier technologies and spark global collaboration by uniting with bold organizations that turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. In partnership with Thales, we have brought together two global leaders in applied research, as we are driven by a shared ambition to push the boundaries of science and shape the next wave of technological progress and value creation.”
The focus of the collaboration is to accelerate the transition from research to deployment and serving clients’ operational needs. By convening leading researchers from both organizations, the time to market for next generation technologies will be brought forward, increasing the potential for enhanced workflows and further industry breakthroughs.
Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, Chief Innovation Officer at TII said: “At TII, we see innovation as a bridge between scientific discovery and societal progress. By joining forces with Thales, we are strengthening that bridge, advancing technologies that not only define new frontiers in quantum, autonomy, and photonics, but also deliver solutions that shape a safer, smarter, and more sustainable world.”
Abdelhafid Mordi, Vice President of Thales in UAE and Iraq, and CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies said: “Thales’s partnership with the Technology Innovation Institute builds on shared strengths in quantum, autonomy, and photonics. These are areas critical to the next generation of secure and intelligent systems. Together, we are translating scientific excellence into applied innovation that supports the UAE’s vision for a future-ready, knowledge-based, sovereign economy.”
The signing of the agreement at Dubai Airshow 2025 highlights the industry’s heritage in global innovation and strategic cooperation. With the UAE’s vision for advanced technology leadership, this partnership will help the country make significant strides forward.
