Insitu Establishes UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Insitu Opens UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi to Support UAE Armed Forces

On December 12, 2024, Insitu, a leading unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufacturer owned by Boeing, officially launched its new UAS Center of Excellence (COE) at the Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This state-of-the-art facility plays a key role in advancing UAS capabilities in the region, providing local services that directly support the UAE Armed Forces.

The UAS Center of Excellence will house comprehensive training programs, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, and other essential support functions for the UAE’s military operations.

Insitu hopes to lower operating costs, expedite procedures, and minimize turnaround times by moving these crucial services from abroad to the UAE, which will ultimately help the country’s defense industry.

In addition, the facility is expected to boost the local economy, facilitate the participation of local suppliers in the value chain, and create job opportunities for qualified individuals.

“We are excited to open a UAS center of excellence in Abu Dhabi,” said Diane Ross, President and CEO of Insitu. This facility is a significant turning point in our collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces and the Tawazun Council. It will strengthen our assistance to the UAE and encourage cooperation with Emirati businesses throughout the military sector, creating new avenues for innovation.

The Tawazun Council’s Director of Economic Programs, Majed Al Shamsi, emphasized the new center’s strategic significance by pointing out that it supports the UAE’s overarching goal of becoming a world leader in cutting-edge technology and unmanned systems. “This center is a daring step forward in forming the future of unmanned systems technology,” he continued. It supports the UAE’s leadership objective of establishing the nation as a global hub for advanced industries. Our partnership with Insitu, which is backed by the Tawazun Council and the Ministry of Defense, will enable the sharing of critical knowledge and pave the way for upcoming technological developments.

ScanEagle, Integrator and Integrator Extended Range are among Insitu’s well-known long-endurance, runway-independent UAS platforms. These systems are used around the world for a variety of commercial, military and scientific purposes, demonstrating their reliability and adaptability in harsh environments.

The establishment of the UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi underscores Insitu’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s defense and aerospace sectors, while contributing to the country’s broader goals of advancing technological innovation and enhancing defense capabilities. Through this initiative, Insitu is helping to strengthen the UAE’s leading position in unmanned systems and strengthen its global position in the defense sector.