Manufacturing and maintenance, overhaul, and repair stole the spotlight yesterday at the Dubai Airshow, as Emirates, Mubadala’s Strata, and Abu Dhabi Aviation inked agreements that will boost local capabilities in the aviation sector. Plus: New aviation hubs and VVIP terminals are coming.

MANUFACTURING + MRO-

Mubadala’s aerospace manufacturing unit Strata has locked in an agreement with Airbus to develop a wing component for A320 jet models, according to a statement. The aerospace unit will manufacture the ailerons at its Al Ain-based facility with a localization rate of 50%, accounting for Emirati engineers and production technicians. Strata aims to meet nearly half of the European manufacturer’s demand for ailerons to produce its narrow-body A320 aircraft — which has a backlog of over 7k planes.

This has been cooking for a while: Strata disclosed on the second day of Dubai Airshow that it was eyeing manufacturing aircraft-engine parts for the first time as the sector grapples with a global shortage. The firm was reportedly also setting its eyes on supplying carbon-fiber materials for Boeing’s 777X as well — though Strata is still in discussions with the US manufacturer.

ALSO FROM STRATA- The manufacturing unit, alongside Mubadala’s aerospace engineering and leasing arm Sanad, is partnering with UAE-based AI-driven manufacturing firm Sindan to explore integrating 3D printing, AI, and robotics into MRO operations and manufacturing in the aerospace sector, Wam reports. The collaboration will see both Sanad and Strata use Sindan’s tech, including smart robotics to improve warehouse handling and operations, in their manufacturing activities.

#2- Emirates + Rolls-Royce partner up on MRO: Dubai’s Emirates inked an MoU with engine provider Rolls-Royce to handle maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for the Trend 900 engines set to fuel its own Airbus A380 fleet from 2027, according to a statement. The airline aims to build a new facility dedicated to fan case repairs, and has extended its total care service agreement with Rolls-Royce for its A380 fleet into the 2040s.

REMEMBER- Emirates President Tim Clark has been vocal with his criticism of Airbus’ Rolls Royce engines, previously calling them “defective.” The engine manufacturer has reportedly invested big in improving the engines’ durability. Still, Emirates is the world’s largest operator of Airbus’ A380 model — hosting some 116 of the double-decked widebodies in its fleet.

ICYMI- Emirates locked in a USD 3.4 bn order for eight Airbus A350-9 jets this week, with delivery scheduled for 2031.

#3- Abu Dhabi Aviation has tapped Honeywell to boost and accelerate helicopter MRO in the emirate, according to a statement. Per the agreement, Abu Dhabi Aviation will offer local repair logistics support for AW139 helicopter operators in the UAE. The AW139 helicopter uses Honeywell’s integrated avionics system — Primus Epic — and other aircraft components. Abu Dhabi Aviation will be responsible for selecting the most suitable Honey repair facility, shipping parts, and tracking the repair process.

NEW HUBS-

#1- Tariq Al Futtaim Group to set up aviation hub in Dubai South: Dubai South’s Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) has partnered with Tariq Al Futtaim Group’s aviation investment arm Jet Park Investment to set up a new aviation services facility, according to a statement. The facility — spanning some 15k sqm — will feature a 10k sqm apron area and offer end-to-end ground logistics, parts handling, and light maintenance services. The hub looks to address rising demand for high quality aviation service capabilities in Dubai. The investment figure and timeline for the project were not disclosed.

REMEMBER- Dubai’s aerospace platform MBRAH is investing AED 1.5 bn in infrastructure in 2025 and 2026 to meet rising demand, the hub’s CEO Tahnoon Saif said last year. It launched the first phase of its 1.29 mn sq ft Aerospace Supply Chain zone in April. A further expansion to the zone is being developed with over 1.72 mn sq ft of new facilities currently underway, scheduled for completion in 2Q 2026.

#2- RAK airport rolls out VVIP terminal + private jet hangars: Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) International Airport inked an agreement with Falcon Executive Aviation, a subsidiary of UAE-based Alex Group Investment, to develop a VVIP terminal and private jet hangar, slated for completion by 1Q 2027, state news agency Wam reports.

The details: The project includes a 1.5k sqm terminal, an 8k sqm hangar, a helipad, and an expanded 9k sqm aircraft parking and servicing space. The facility will also include one Royal lounge and four VVIP lounges — with construction slated to take around 15 months.

Why now? It’s part of the emirate’s drive to expand its private aviation capacity in tandem with its tourism push, as RAK expects to see an uptick in visitor numbers with projects like the USD 3.9 bn Wynn Marjan Island resort coming online.

DEFENSE-

UAE defense and security authority Tawazun Council inked a total of AED 24.4 bn in contracts so far at the airshow, with an additional AED 6.5 bn in agreements signed yesterday, Wam reports. The bulk of it went to Calidus for the procurement and supply of its missile system Al Heda for AED 6.1 bn, while contracts for radars and other spare parts were also inked.

Tawazun also signed an agreement with security firm Saab to set up a joint program for the research and development of technology to use in operations to detect unmanned aerial vehicles, according to Wam. Saab will lead the R&D activities, which will take place at its headquarters in Tawazun Industrial Park.

ALSO- UAE-based defense firm Edge Group partnered with Italy’s aviation manufacturing company Magnaghi Aerospace (MAGroup) to boost Edge’s autonomous aircraft systems and aerial solutions, according to a press release. Under the MoU, Edge will explore partnerships with MA Group’s different business segments to consider developing key components for autonomous aircraft infrastructure.

Edge also signed an MoU with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, which specializes in aircraft components, defense solutions, and engines for spacecraft, to explore collaboration on air defence systems, according to a press release. The two will look into integrating Hanwha’s tech in areas like air and missile defence, drone systems, AI-driven defense tools, and long-range precision strikes, into the UAE’s defense needs. Cooperation on maritime MRO and unmanned ground systems is also in the cards.

Its partnership with the Brazilian Navy is also making strides, with the two establishing a joint working group of experts on anti-drone system deployment, according to Wam. The group is set to bring a demo online in December, with full rollout of the first solutions coming next year. The two signed an agreement last year to develop the Navy’s national anti-ship missile.

Tawazun, Edge, KU, and Lockheed to work on semiconductor research: Tawazun, along with Edge Group, Khalifa University and US-based aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin have also signed a letter of intent to establish an integrated ecosystem for designing and producing microelectronics based on chiplet technology in Abu Dhabi, state news agency Wam reports, citing statements from CEO of Lockheed Martin General John Nicholson.

Khalifa University and Edge outlined execution tracks: Khalifa University will launch a 16-month semiconductor program in collaboration with Arizona State University to train more than 60 Emiratis, as well as establish a new center of excellence for semiconductor research. Edge said it will integrate chiplet technology into UAE defense manufacturing, supported by specialized training programs and direct coordination with Lockheed Martin to develop mission computers for high-value space, aviation, and defense applications.

So far from the airshow, Edge has partnered with Tawazun Council for its engineering arm EPI to manufacture and repair electronic brake controls; with Italian defense firm Leonardo to launch a JV focusing on defense systems; and with Indonesian defense player Republikorp on a USD 7 bn financing and procurement agreement. Its Brazilian subsidiary, meanwhile, secured a contract with the Brazilian Marine Corps.

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