Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, has inaugurated a new facility in the United Arab Emirates to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services of uncrewed aircraft systems for the UAE military. Located at Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun Industrial Park, the company’s UAS Center of Excellence will also support local employment and Emirati content integration, Insitu said Thursday.
Insitu views the center as a value creator, reducing the cost and turnaround time of services performed overseas previously and allowing local companies to participate in the supply chain.
Defense Industry Collaboration
Insitu CEO Diane Rose described the center as a boost to the company’s services and partnership with the Tawazun Council. She said the CoE is a driver for “frequent opportunities” for collaboration with local defense companies in creating in-country value in the Emirates.
According to Majed Al Shamsi, Tawazun Council economic programs director, the Insitu facility also aligns with the UAE’s national vision of achieving global leadership in advanced industries. “This center represents a bold step forward, offering a space where cutting-edge unmanned systems technology will take shape,” he said.
In February 2022, Insitu disclosed that it was in discussions with several Arab Gulf countries on joint research and development programs, including plans to build unmanned aerial vehicles deployed in the region.