MENA Newswire News Desk: Airbus announced that all of its current aircraft models incorporate parts manufactured in the UAE, underscoring a strengthened partnership with Emirati industries. Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, confirmed this development during the signing of a new agreement with UAE-based EDGE Group to produce a specialized fuel tank for the C295 military transport aircraft.
Dumont highlighted Airbus’s longstanding commitment to supporting the UAE’s aviation sector, with a focus on advancing local manufacturing capabilities. He described how partnerships with UAE-based companies, such as EDGE Group, EPI, and Strata, have allowed for the production of critical Airbus components domestically, supporting the UAE’s broader goal of becoming a global hub for aerospace parts manufacturing. According to Dumont, Airbus plans to double its industrial footprint in the UAE over the next decade, a goal that aligns with the company’s strategic objectives.
Airbus’s approach goes beyond simply outsourcing parts production, Dumont emphasized. The company’s initiatives aim to cultivate local expertise, developing a skilled workforce that can contribute significantly to the UAE’s aviation sector. “Our vision extends to establishing the UAE as a pivotal player on the international aviation stage,” Dumont stated, adding that Airbus views this partnership as foundational for achieving industrial autonomy in the region.
Since 2010, when Airbus began its partnership with UAE-based Strata to manufacture components for its aircraft, the company has focused on progressively expanding the scope of locally made parts. The latest collaboration with EDGE Group and its subsidiary EPI underscores the maturation of this relationship, positioning the UAE as the exclusive global supplier of the specialized fuel tank for the C295 aircraft. Airbus officials believe that this achievement will enable the UAE to enter new international markets, opening export opportunities for Emirati industries.
Dumont elaborated that Airbus’s collaboration with the UAE includes robust training and technical knowledge transfer. Through these initiatives, Airbus aims to equip Emirati professionals with advanced engineering skills, enabling them to not only support production but also engage in the design and innovation of aerospace technologies. Airbus has implemented comprehensive programs to support local talent, creating a work environment that fosters professional growth and technical self-sufficiency within the UAE.
This latest agreement with EDGE Group reflects Airbus’s broader strategy to build resilient and independent aerospace manufacturing capabilities in the UAE. Dumont described the partnership as a model for industrial independence in the aviation sector, noting that Airbus’s presence in the UAE is marked by both production and knowledge transfer initiatives designed to sustain the country’s long-term growth in aerospace manufacturing. By embedding itself in the UAE’s industrial ecosystem, Airbus aims to position the UAE as a critical production hub not only for domestic needs but also as a source for international markets.