Abu dhabi: The Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement to establish an advanced microelectronics design and assembly facility in the United Arab Emirates, on the sidelines of the Make it in the Emirates 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the project will be executed in partnership with EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technologies and defence groups, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE’s top-ranked research and enterprise-oriented institution. The agreement establishes the UAE’s capability to design and assemble advanced chiplet-based technologies and advances its ambitions to localise manufacturing, strengthen industrial value chains, and position the country as a globally competitive hub for next-generation technologies.
As part of the programme, HALCON, an Edge Group Company, will integrate chiplet-based processors into advanced targeting and guidance systems, enabling more sophisticated onboard computation and enhancing target acquisition, tracking, and precision engagement. The collaboration includes the establishment of a dedicated R and D centre at Khalifa University focused on microelectronics design, talent development, and industry-led research.
Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, General-Director of Industry Development Directorate at Tawazun, stated that the Council plays a key role in enabling this national project by bringing together strategic partners, driving efforts for impact, supporting capability development, and establishing the foundations for a sustainable, locally anchored chiplet ecosystem. He emphasised that this enablement reflects the Council’s approach to supporting and activating national priority projects, contributing to the acceleration of advanced industrial capabilities and strengthening the integration of the national ecosystem within critical technology sectors.
He further highlighted that chiplet technologies are a key enabler across advanced industries, including defence, aerospace, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing. He noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of ‘Make it in the Emirates’ and reflects a broader national drive to accelerate industrial growth, enable future industries, and create high-value opportunities for investment and innovation.
Daniel Mouton, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Middle East, remarked that for more than 50 years, Lockheed Martin has partnered with the UAE to bring advanced capabilities from ambition to reality. This agreement establishes the design and assembly capacity needed to place the Emirates inside the global microelectronics value chain.
Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, mentioned that the dedicated R and D centre at the University will train UAE nationals in chiplet design and advanced microelectronics, and connect research directly to industrial application. Saif Al Dahbashi, President – Missiles and Weapons, EDGE, added that this initiative marks a decisive step in advancing the UAE’s sovereign microelectronics capability, combining global expertise with national ambition to accelerate capability transfer and develop a highly specialised talent base.