UAE Strengthens National Cyber Sovereignty with New Thales Collaboration Focused on Advanced Space and Cyber Capabilities

UAE Strengthens National Cyber Sovereignty with New Thales Collaboration Focused on Advanced Space and Cyber Capabilities

(IN BRIEF) Thales and the UAE Cyber Security Council have entered a long-term strategic partnership to support the UAE’s vision of strengthening National Cyber Sovereignty. Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding during the Dubai Air Show, the collaboration will establish a Cyber Center of Excellence that includes three major components: a Space META Security Operation Centre, a Cyber Evaluation Lab, and a Crypto Lab. These initiatives will accelerate the development of sovereign cyber capabilities, beginning with a strong focus on the space sector. The partnership aims to build Emirati expertise, enhance research and innovation, and support governance frameworks for critical national domains. Thales will provide technical knowledge transfer and advanced training, while both parties plan to expand the initiative to additional strategic areas and jointly address international markets.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, 20-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales has deepened its collaboration with the United Arab Emirates by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC), reinforcing the nation’s wider ambition to strengthen National Cyber Sovereignty. Announced during the Dubai Air Show, the agreement sets the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership focused on advancing cyber capabilities across the country, starting with a major emphasis on the space sector.

As part of this initiative, Thales and the CSC will jointly develop a Cyber Center of Excellence designed to serve as a new national pillar for innovation, capability-building, and technical leadership in cyber security. Central to the collaboration is the creation of three specialised capabilities that will support sovereign cyber resilience and drive technological independence.

The Space META Security Operation Centre (SOC) will be the first of these pillars. Built in cooperation with a local industrial partner, this SOC will focus specifically on safeguarding space systems, integrating advanced technologies and operating in connection with the national SOC. It will also provide hands-on training and knowledge transfer that addresses satellite constellations and ground infrastructure monitoring.

A second component, the Cyber Evaluation Lab, will provide a dedicated environment for testing and evaluating both software and hardware assets. Intended to be operated by UAE nationals, this facility will contribute to the development of policies, standards, and governance structures to strengthen critical national domains, beginning with the space ecosystem. The lab aims to establish the UAE as a regional leader in cyber excellence and secure technology testing.

The third initiative, the Crypto Lab, will focus on developing and validating cryptographic solutions for space applications. Leveraging Thales’ extensive experience—including insights gained through European Space Agency programmes—the lab will explore advanced solutions such as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). UAE specialists will receive in-depth training from Thales experts to build long-term sovereign competence.

All three projects will operate under the umbrella of the Cyber Center of Excellence, led by His Excellency Dr. Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cyber Security Council. The overarching goal is to bolster national research, foster local R&D ecosystems, and build sustainable Emirati expertise across space and broader cyber domains.

Christophe Salomon, Executive Vice-President of Secure Communications & Information Systems at Thales, emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting that it represents a significant commitment to shaping the UAE’s future in sovereign, resilient, and innovative cyber security. He highlighted that the space domain marks just the beginning, with additional strategic sectors expected to be included over time. Thales and the CSC also plan to extend their collaboration to jointly target global markets, strengthening the UAE’s position as a leader in cyber technologies.

To find out more about Thales in the United Arab Emirates, please go to: Thales in the UAE | Thales Group.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies in advanced for the Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

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SOURCE: Thales