Milrem Robotics, EM&E Group, and Thales in Belgium Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance UAE Defence Capabilities

Milrem Robotics, EM&E Group, and Thales in Belgium Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance UAE Defence Capabilities

(IN BRIEF) Milrem Robotics, EM&E Group, and Thales in Belgium have signed an MoU to collaborate on integrating advanced technologies into the THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle for the UAE. This strategic partnership aims to enhance capabilities in countering drone threats and support the UAE’s growing defence and technological needs. The new system will be showcased at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 20-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Milrem Robotics, a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems, EM&E Group, a prominent defence technology provider, and Thales in Belgium, a subsidiary of the multinational tech leader Thales Group, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on defence innovation and technology integration in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The MoU lays the foundation for a partnership that will focus on combining the strengths of the three companies in joint innovation and the development of advanced robotics systems. A key objective of the agreement is the integration of EM&E Group’s SECUTOR Remote Weapon Station with Thales in Belgium’s 70mm rocket systems into Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS modular unmanned ground vehicle. This collaboration will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the THeMIS platform, providing increased versatility and improving its ability to support critical needs in countering drone threats (C-UAS) for the UAE.

The advanced system developed under this partnership will be showcased by EDGE Group at the IDEX 2025 exhibition, taking place in Abu Dhabi from February 17-21, 2025.

Collaborative Development for Advanced Defence Solutions
The MoU also opens doors to further collaborative projects that will leverage the combined expertise of all three companies. These projects are aimed at advancing cutting-edge defence solutions, contributing to the UAE’s evolving needs in security and technology.

Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “This partnership allows us to bring together our technological expertise to address the dynamic and growing requirements for robotic systems in defence. By combining our strengths, we aim to drive innovation, enhance regional security, and support the UAE’s broader defence and technological ambitions.”

Alain Quevrin, CEO of Thales in Belgium, echoed this sentiment: “We are excited to be part of this strategic collaboration, which brings together leading-edge technologies to meet the defence challenges in an increasingly complex global environment. This partnership is in line with the UAE’s vision for innovation in defence and security.”

Javier Escribano, President of EM&E Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are honoured to contribute to this strategic initiative, combining our capabilities to develop the Secutor Rocket system. This agreement underscores our shared commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the defence sector and delivering innovative solutions for our partners.”

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

About Thales in Belgium

Thales Belgium, a subsidiary of the Thales Group, has operated in Belgium for over 50 years, serving three core markets — Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space and Digital Identity & Security — and developing products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

Thales employs over 1,200 people in Belgium at nine sites (Herstal, Tubize, Brussels, Charleroi, Hasselt, Leuven, Zaventem and Hasselt). Thales Belgium consistently contributes to the country’s research and development programmes, in particular in key sectors of innovation such as quantum technologies, edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity.

About Milrem

milremrobotics.com

About EM&E Group

www.eme-es.com

Media Contacts:

Thales in Belgium
Lou Uniak – lou.uniack@thalesgroup.com

Thales Group
Camille Heck – Camille.heck@thalesgroup.com

Thales:
Tel: +33 (0) 1 57 77 80 00

SOURCE: Thales