For 50 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the United Arab Emirates, delivering cutting-edge technologies that enhance national security, defense capabilities, and technological sovereignty.
As the UAE continues to prioritize innovation and self-reliance in defense, Thales is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future through strategic partnerships, advanced AI-driven solutions, and localized expertise.
In this exclusive interview, Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO of Thales International, discusses the company’s enduring commitment to the UAE, its contributions to critical defense and security infrastructure, and how emerging technologies, such as AI, cybersecurity, and advanced radar systems, are redefining the landscape of modern warfare and national resilience.
From fostering local talent to expanding Thales Emarat Technologies’ footprint, Sourisse provides key insights into how Thales is aligning with the UAE’s long-term strategic objectives.
Thales’s Contribution to UAE National Security
– How does Thales tailor its solutions to support the UAE’s national security priorities?
Thales has been a committed partner to the UAE for 50 years, adapting our solutions to meet the nation’s evolving security needs. Our solutions are designed to enhance air and missile defense, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, all while ensuring that the countries that we operate in maintain sovereignty over their assets.
Five years ago we set up Thales Emarat Technologies (TET) which hosts three centers of excellence to deliver world-class systems tailored for the UAE’s landscape. TET will now launch a new radar factory that will serve both domestic needs and export markets.
– Can you share insights into Thales’s key strategic partnerships in the UAE and their impact on national security?
Thales has forged robust strategic partnerships with key entities in the UAE. We have been working closely with the local defense forces, technology providers and Emirati suppliers. Our ‘Go to UAE’ initiative is designed to integrate local suppliers into our global supply chain, boosting the country’s ecosystem efficiency and supporting economic growth. We have added nine new UAE-based suppliers to the Group supply chain this year. These efforts contribute not only to military readiness but also to the UAE’s broader goals of economic diversification and industrial excellence, ensuring that the nation is empowered with locally developed, sovereign technologies.
Advanced Defense Technologies for the UAE
– What are the most cutting-edge defense technologies that Thales is bringing to the UAE? How do these enhance the UAE’s defense capabilities?
Modern defense is evolving rapidly, and 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, to stay ahead of emerging threats and enhance resilience.
Our systems include advanced land-based defense systems, AI-driven threat detection, state-of-the-art maritime technologies, and pioneering aerospace solutions. These enhance the UAE’s capability to operate securely across land, sea, air, and space domains.
Driving Innovation with AI
– How does AI fit into Thales’s strategy for security and defense innovation in the UAE? What advancements can we expect?
AI is central to the transformation of industry. At Thales, for over a decade we have embedded a frugal, cybersecured, explainable and transparent AI into our solutions serving the armed forces.
Thales is a major AI player in these complex environments. The company is Europe’s top patent applicant in the field of AI for critical mission systems. It devotes a lot of effort to research on AI, both in-house and through academic and industry partnerships.
We’ve brought our AI expertise under CortAIx — a accelerator of 600+ engineers and researchers dedicated to advancing AI for critical applications. Unlike consumer-grade AI, our systems are built for environments where lives, national security, and essential infrastructure are crucial. That means rethinking traditional AI models, ensuring compliance with strict regulations, and prioritising embeddability and frugality in complex operational settings.
In defense, AI-driven “capability amplification” is a game-changer. We’re helping forces achieve more with the same equipment, maximising agility in command centers, significantly increasing sensors’ capabilities – both more precise and more efficient – in terms of sighting and identifying threats and targets. AI allows defense systems to ensure mission success even amid escalating global threats.
The Power of Local Partnerships in the UAE
– What role does Thales Emarat Technologies play in fostering local partnerships?
Localisation is at the core of Thales’s strategy in the UAE, driven by partnerships, technology transfer and talent development.
We are fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders through tailored education, innovation hubs, and embedding advanced skills that align with the nation’s vision for a future-driven society.
To boost local capabilities, 30% of Thales Emarat Technologies recruitments in the coming years will be UAE Nationals. In addition, hundreds of indirect jobs be will created in line with the UAE 2031 vision in the strategic fields of Defense, Space, Aerospace and Artificial Intelligence
Thales in the UAE: A Story of Partnership and Impact
– Can you highlight Thales’s long-standing presence in the UAE and its contributions to the country’s growth?
Thales celebrates 50 years in the country this year. We’ve had a long-standing presence in the UAE, working closely with our clients on advanced technological solutions across Defense and Security, Aerospace and Space, Cybersecurity and Digital Identity. Thales Emarat Technologies plays a key role in supporting the UAE’s vision for national sovereignty through trusted innovation and industrial excellence.
Since its establishment, TET has launched key initiatives like the Radar Centre of Excellence, Defense Services Center, and the Digital Center of Excellence, positioning it as a hub for critical systems development.
Our commitment is to fully support the UAE’s national vision, whether by setting up Thales Centers of Excellence or by partnering with Emirati companies including suppliers or customers like MBRSC for the Airlock module, the UAE’s contribution to NASA’s Lunar Gateway Space Station. Another key priority is creating opportunities for Emirati talent, aligning with the UAE’s vision for human capital development. Today, we have a team of 550 people in the UAE including 170 skilled professionals in TET, and we aim to double our workforce in TET in the coming years.
– What is TET’s vision, and how does it align with the UAE’s strategic objectives?
TET’s vision is to drive innovation, education and industry in the country. Our aim is to support the UAE’s vision for technological sovereignty and position the nation as a global leader in high-tech innovation. With our clients and partners, we’re shaping the future of critical sectors like defense, aerospace, and digital security to meet the UAE’s long-term strategic vision.
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