Defense Arabia recently had the privilege of speaking with Guillaume Pateu, UAE Country Director at Naval Group, to explore the company’s significant contributions to regional defence and workforce development.
From groundbreaking initiatives in training Emirati talent to cutting-edge advancements in naval technology, Naval Group is at the forefront of fostering local expertise and innovation in the Middle East.
UAE Country Director at Naval Group
In this exclusive interview, Pateu sheds light on the upcoming Transfer of Technology program in Toulon, the role of the Gowind Corvette in workforce empowerment, the strategic Combat Management System partnership with the UAE, and the group’s forward-looking approach to autonomous systems and cybersecurity.
Join us as we delve into how Naval Group’s initiatives are shaping the future of naval defence while supporting regional sovereignty and sustainable development.
1- How does the involvement of Naval Group in training programs, such as the upcoming initiative for Emirati nationals in Toulon for a huge Transfer of Technology in the field of Combat Management System, contribute to building expertise and career opportunities for Middle Eastern nationals in the naval sector?
Naval Group places a high emphasis on the development of local talent in the region and fostering national expertise within the defence sector. This underlines our objective of the training program for a select group on Emirati talent which is due to start in Toulon at the end of the year. The initiative will equip Emiratis with critical skills in advanced naval operations and CMS technology. By providing hands-on training and exposure to cutting-edge technology systems, with the ultimate aim of creating a sustainable talent pipeline that aligns with national goals and contributes directly to building a resilient and skilled workforce in the region.
2- The Gowind Corvette has already shown its considerable capabilities in various regions. How is Naval Group leveraging proven platforms like these to provide career growth opportunities and contribute to the local workforce development?
The Gowind Corvette has become one of Naval Group’s hallmark platforms, recognized for its adaptability and robust capabilities across various maritime environments. The recent delivery of the latest jointly built Gowind Corvette to the UAE perfectly underlines our commitment to empowering local defence capabilities and workforce development. We are proud to see the Gowind playing a key role not only in reinforcing naval defence but also in contributing to career development opportunities for nationals in partner countries. Through partnerships and local training programs, we support the knowledge transfer, enabling local teams to maintain and operate these vessels. This approach provides credible, long-term job opportunities that align with national development plans-reinforcing local expertise in naval defence.
In parallel, we’re also supporting human capital development through training programs (especially Emirati Global Acceleration Program (E-GAP) managed by Tawazun Council and that enable UAE personnel to acquire the skills needed for operational independence. These training programs, which began with foundational training in France and continue with advanced sessions in the UAE, ensure that local talent can confidently operate and maintain these systems.
3- Naval Group’s Combat Management System (CMS) agreement with the UAE is a landmark arrangement, given the strategic importance of such defence capabilities, could you share insights on how this CMS partnership reflects the strength of French-UAE relations and its impact on local expertise development within the region?
Naval Group’s Combat Management System (CMS) agreement with the UAE is indeed a landmark arrangement, underscoring the depth of the relationship between France and the UAE, and Naval Group’s long-term commitment to regional sovereignty and national defence capabilities. The CMS program, developed with key UAE partners including EDGE, Marakeb, and Tawazun, represents a high-level technology transfer and is strategically positioned to strengthen the UAE’s naval defence ecosystem.
The CMS initiative is part of Naval Group’s broader roadmap of collaborations, aiming to empower local industry and create sustainable expertise. By integrating Emirati-provided equipment into our platforms and fostering collaborations with Abu Dhabi Ship Building for the maintenance of the Gowind Corvette fleet, it demonstrates our longterm to bolstering the UAE’s defence infrastructure.
The CMS partnership not only reflects the strong ties between our nations but also serves as a foundation for the UAE’s growing role in regional defence, leveraging local expertise and fostering innovation for long-term sustainability.
4- With advancements in defense technology continuing to reshape the face of naval operations, how does Naval Group envision the role that autonomous systems will play in supporting regional defense objectives, and what innovative approaches are being taken toward enhancing operational efficiency and safety?
Naval Group is committed to the development of defense technologies aimed at supporting the strategic objectives of our regional partners. This vision is one of an autonomous system that provides a multitude of capabilities in surveillance, operations, and safety, while sparing risk. This paper keenly looks at regional adaptability to provide solutions for enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency. As Naval Group, we are keen on partnering and investing in R&D efforts that can bring high-value technology solutions that improve the sovereign defense capability of our partners while meeting long-term maritime goals.
5- With maritime cyber threats on the rise, how does Naval Group respond to the cybersecurity needs for regional partners, and what measures are being taken to reinforce the concept of cyber resilience?
Cybersecurity is one of the top priorities in Naval Group’s strategy to protect maritime assets from evolving threats. For our Middle Eastern partners, we continue our commitment to delivering comprehensive cyber defence solutions tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of naval infrastructure in the region. Our approach combines advanced cyber defence tools with extensive training for local teams to manage these systems independently and on how to make full use of the systems. Besides expertise, by empowering our partners with the skills and technologies needed to safeguard their maritime assets, we contribute to the process of building more robust, resilient defence capabilities in the region.
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