Airbus plans A400M parts production in UAE

Airbus Expands A400M Production and MRO Capabilities in UAE

Airbus is considering producing key components for its A400M military transport aircraft locally in the United Arab Emirates, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s role in the global aerospace supply chain. The initiative will see partnerships with UAE-based companies such as EPI and Strata to increase their contribution to aircraft component production.

Strengthening Industrial Collaboration
According to a report by WAM, Gabriel Sémelas, President of Airbus in Africa and the Middle East, emphasized that this step is part of Airbus’s broader strategy to deepen its collaboration with local industry. The company also plans to set up dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities for the aircraft in the UAE to provide comprehensive service support for the A400M. Airbus also plans to establish a dedicated training facility to develop local knowledge.

Developing the UAE’s aerospace workforce Airbus is committed to developing local talent through targeted research collaborations, technical support programmes and specialised training programmes. The key objectives of Airbus’ localization efforts are job creation and skills development, as the business aims to provide the UAE workforce with cutting-edge aerospace knowledge and technical expertise.

“We are committed to developing industrial partnerships that not only strengthen the UAE’s capacity to produce aircraft but also establish the nation as a major force in the global aerospace industry,” Sémelas said.

The Excellent 2024 Performance of Airbus
Airbus announced strong financial results for 2024 amid these development plans, demonstrating consistent growth in spite of industry obstacles. Strong demand in its space, military, and helicopter businesses, as well as increased deliveries of commercial aircraft, drove the company’s 6% increase in consolidated revenues to EUR69.2 billion.

Airbus maintained a good book-to-bill ratio by delivering 766 commercial aircraft and securing 826 net orders.With 450 new orders, Airbus Helicopters maintained steady demand, while Airbus Defense and Space saw a record order intake of EUR16.7 billion.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury reiterated the company’s dedication to increasing production, promoting decarbonization efforts, and modernizing its space and defense activities.
Despite a slight decline in adjusted EBIT to EUR5,354 million, commercial aircraft activities saw an increase in EBIT Adjusted to EUR5,093 million.

With these developments, Airbus is not only reinforcing its presence in the UAE but also positioning the country as a major hub for aerospace innovation and industry growth.