Technology Innovation Institute and Thales Form Strategic Research Alliance to Advance Frontier Technologies and Support the UAE’s Innovation Leadership

Technology Innovation Institute and Thales Partner to Advance Research in Quantum, Autonomy, and Directed Energy ©Flat Earth

(IN BRIEF) The Technology Innovation Institute and Thales have signed a long-term Collaboration Agreement at the Dubai Airshow to advance joint R&D in quantum sensing, autonomous systems, and directed energy technologies. The partnership supports the UAE’s ambition to strengthen sovereign research capabilities and build a leading global innovation ecosystem. By combining TII’s applied research strengths with Thales’ expertise in advanced science and engineering, the initiative aims to accelerate the transition from laboratory research to operational deployment. Senior leaders from both organizations highlighted that the collaboration will help shape next-generation technologies, enhance UAE–France cooperation, and contribute to a more secure, intelligent, and sustainable technological landscape. The partnership reinforces TII’s position as a global R&D hub and supports the UAE’s long-term vision for technology leadership.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, 20-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has entered into a long-term Collaboration Agreement with global technology leader Thales to accelerate breakthroughs and deployment in quantum technologies, autonomous systems, and directed energy. Signed during the Dubai Airshow, the agreement establishes a structured framework for joint research and development focused on innovation and practical applications that can be rapidly transitioned to real-world use.

This new partnership reflects the UAE’s growing commitment to developing sovereign research capabilities and reinforcing its position as a global catalyst for advanced technology cooperation. By working closely with Thales, headquartered in Paris, TII strengthens the UAE–France relationship in high-impact scientific fields while continuing to position Abu Dhabi as a premier hub for frontier R&D. The collaboration integrates Thales’ global expertise with TII’s mission to drive applied science and foster meaningful technological outcomes.

The agreement targets several core areas where both organisations bring complementary strengths and research capabilities:

Quantum Sensing: Joint development of next-generation ultra-sensitive measurement systems—such as gravimetry, magnetometry, and precision navigation—derived from quantum physics principles.

Advanced Autonomous Systems: Cross-domain innovation spanning land, air, sea, and space. Research will address robotics, swarm coordination, adaptive autonomy, AI-driven mission execution, and advanced command-and-control architectures to support increasingly intelligent unmanned systems.

Advanced Laser and Power Technologies: Co-development of high-energy laser systems, advanced beam control mechanisms, and scalable, compact power generation to enable future defence, communication, and power-beaming applications.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the institute’s mission to accelerate frontier R&D and foster global collaboration. She noted that uniting two world-class research organizations allows them to transform bold scientific ideas into practical, high-impact solutions.

A key ambition of the collaboration is to shorten the time it takes to move emerging concepts from research labs to real-world environments. By combining expertise, both organizations aim to expedite development cycles, streamline operational workflows, and create new opportunities for industry-wide technological advancements.

Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, Chief Innovation Officer at TII, highlighted that innovation acts as the link between scientific discovery and societal progress. He noted that by working with Thales, the two teams are advancing quantum science, autonomy, and photonics in ways that can support safer, smarter, and more sustainable solutions.

Abdelhafid Mordi, Vice President of Thales in UAE and Iraq and CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies, added that the collaboration builds on shared strengths in critical emerging fields. He emphasized that translating scientific excellence into applied innovation is central to supporting the UAE’s long-term vision of a resilient, knowledge-driven, sovereign economy.

The signing at Dubai Airshow 2025 underscores the UAE’s expanding role in shaping global technology ecosystems. With the country’s ambitions for future industry leadership, the partnership positions the UAE to make significant progress in advanced science and technology in the years ahead.

ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION INSTITUTE (TII) 

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is the dedicated applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). TII is a pioneering global research and development center that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities. The Institute has 9 dedicated research centers in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, AI and digital science, directed energy, quantum, secure systems, propulsion and space, and renewable and sustainable energy. By working with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions, and industry partners from all over the world, TII connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem that reinforces the status of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global hub for innovation.

For more information, visit www.tii.ae

PRESS CONTACTS

Jinan Warrayat: +971 50 471 3552 – jinan.warrayat@tii.ae

tii@edelman.com

ABOUT THALES

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies 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.

PRESS CONTACTS

Tarek Solimane: Tarek.Solimane@thalesgroup.com

Dhwani Sanganee: Dhwani.Sanganee@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales