Abu Dhabi, April 30, 2026 —In line with national efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for advanced manufacturing, Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement continues to strengthen its role as a key enabler of the national defence industrial ecosystem through its participation in the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates 2026.
Make it in the Emirates 2026 serves as the UAE’s flagship platform for advanced and future-focused industries, industrial transformation and annovation, translating strategic intent into investment opportunities, partnerships, and tangible industrial outcomes.
In its fifth edition, the event further strengthens regional and international collaboration, accelerates industrial growth, enhances competitiveness, and reinforces the UAE’s trajectory as a global industrial hub.
During its participation, Tawazun will showcase a comprehensive suite of regulatory enablers, industrial solutions, and strategic initiatives, highlighting its role as a national regulatory authority responsible for developing the sector’s regulatory frameworks, standards and compliance systems, as well as overseeing testing, evaluation, and certification processes.
The Council will also underscore the pivotal role of specialised industrial zones in supporting the defence sector, designed to enable defence manufacturing, advance localisation, expand supply chains, and support export-oriented production, thereby contributing to a more integrated and sustainable industrial ecosystem.
In addition, Tawazun will present its Entrepreneurship Enablement Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at supporting the growth of emerging national companies in the defence sector. The programme reflects the Council’s broader efforts to strengthen private sector participation and foster innovation, contributing to the development of a robust national defence industry and an enhanced innovation ecosystem.
The Council also includes a Research and Development sector, which has a key role in aligning and guiding R&D priorities through the development of effective partnerships between government, industry, academic institutions, and international stakeholders, contributing to the advancement of capabilities and the development of advanced solutions for the defence and security sectors.
As part of its digital transformation agenda, the Council is also developing a centralised digital platform for UAE defence products, designed to showcase locally manufactured capabilities and enhance their global visibility. The platform will leverage artificial intelligence-enabled solutions to improve product discovery, structure data, and deliver analytics-driven insights that support decision-making.
H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, said: “Our participation in Make it in the Emirates 2026 reflects the Council’s continued role in enabling the defence sector and accelerating the integration of its industrial ecosystem to ensure future readiness. Manufacturing today is no longer a stand-alone production activity, but an integrated system driven by Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, foremost among them artificial intelligence clearly reflected in the solutions showcased by the UAE at this forum, which highlight a qualitative shift towards advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation.”
“Through our specialised directorates, we are focused on building advanced national capabilities, accelerating the adoption of technological solutions, and developing flexible regulatory frameworks and national enablers that strengthen confidence, enhance supply chain efficiency, and support the competitiveness and global reach of the UAE’s defence industrial ecosystem in a sustainable manner.” He added:
He further noted: “The Council continues to work closely with government entities and private sector partners within an integrated national approach that supports the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for advanced industries.”
H.E. Khalifa Ayada Al Hameli, Executive Director, Strategy and Executive Affairs Sector at the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, said: “The Council’s presence at this event reflects the qualitative progress taking place across the sector’s regulatory and industrial ecosystem, demonstrated through a range of projects and initiatives that strengthen supply chains, advance localisation, and enhance industrial readiness.”
“The Council is also participating in the accompanying programme through high-level dialogue platforms addressing national industrial security, the evolution of aerospace and defence manufacturing, and the requirements of certification and precision engineering—contributing to a broader exchange on the future of industrial readiness and advanced technologies.”
He further noted: “Make it in the Emirates also presents an opportunity to announce a series of strategic partnerships that will further strengthen the integration of the national industrial ecosystem, support knowledge transfer, and accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies across defence and industrial sectors.”
