UAE aerospace gets a boost from Mubadala, Safran alliance

Abu Dhabi’s state fund, Mubadala Investment Company, has partnered with French aerospace and defence giant Safran to accelerate aerospace innovation and development in the UAE.

The aerospace pact, which was signed at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, will focus on maintenance, manufacturing, advanced materials, and space.

The agreement seeks to reshape the UAE’s aerospace landscape and position the country as a global leader in the sector by leveraging Mubadala’s existing aerospace assets, including Strata Manufacturing and Sanad, and integrating Safran’s expertise.

It also aims to broaden Strata’s existing strengths within aircraft structure manufacturing to include engine component manufacturing, complementing the sovereign fund’s extensive aerospace portfolio.

With space a key focus area for Mubadala, the collaboration unlocks opportunities in air traffic management, Earth observation, and propulsion systems. It is also expected to enhance capabilities within Strata Solvay Advanced Materials, focusing on advanced materials for engine applications.

Philippe Errera, EVP of International Development and Government Relations, Safran, stated,  “By joining forces, we are enhancing our ability to support technological advancements, develop a skilled workforce, and promote aerospace excellence under the ‘Made in the UAE’ brand.”

Meanwhile, Sanad signed an agreement with Airbus during the Farnborough International Airshow in July to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for engines powering Airbus single-aisle aircraft, such as the A320 and A321, and wide-body aircraft, including the A330. The engines covered in this agreement include the Rolls Royce Trent 700, International Aero Engines V2500-A5, and CFM LEAP-1A.

The aerospace engineering firm recently agreed to supply Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways with 16 aircraft engines, a $408.4m (Dhs1.5bn) deal that is expected to support the carrier’s continued expansion while strengthening the emirate’s aviation ecosystem.

Sanad also said it was expanding its MRO partnership agreement with Global Aerospace Logistics with a new Dhs73.5m deal.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways buys 16 aircraft engines for Dhs1.5bn