Dubai Airshow 2025: At 19th Dubai Airshow edition, November 2025, the UAE was a major player in the defence sector. Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, the national body that manages procurement for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and security agencies, announced a flurry of contracts. The MoD and Abu Dhabi Police inked 36 contracts during the ceremony, totalling AED 25.455 billion (about US$6.92 billion).
Dubai Airshow 2025: Key Involvements
Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement: The government organisation responsible for organising, overseeing, and preserving the UAE’s defence and security industrial base.
UAE Ministry of Defence: The primary reciever of the majority of these contracts.
Abu Dhabi Police: Part of these substantial purchasing activities as well, particularly in fields such as aircraft and rotorcraft.
Tawazun representatives at the press conference during the show: Abdulla Ahmed Al Saeedi and Manea Abdulkarim Al Mansoori presented the announcements.
Major Contracts Breakdown
During the first two days of the Airshow, Tawazun signed 12 agreements worth AED 10.044 billion for the MoD.
On the third day, by the end of the day, the number of contracts had increased to 20, with a total value of AED 18.016 billion (about US$ 4.90 billion).
Among them were local and foreign companies, the UAE defense Industry movement signal that the UAE is determined to build local capacity and is also engaged with global defense firms.
Major Contracts on Day Four
On the fourth day of the show, Tawazun made public seven new contracts with a total value of AED 6.427 billion.
Some of the standout deals:
1. Calidus: A big ticket: AED 6.142 billion for the procurement and supply of a system called Al Heda.
2. International Golden Group (IGG): Drones valued at AED 57.858 million.
3. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI): Radars worth AED 37.684 million.
4. Supreme Professional Services: Spare parts, maintenance, and support for radars (AED 20 million).
Alongside local contracts, three international agreements were signed:
Thales (France): Thermal weapon sights (AED 75.966 million).
CS Group (France): Systems (AED 32.240 million).
MBDA (France): Follow-on support, spare parts, and repair for missiles/systems such as MICA, Black Shaheen, and Mistral (AED 61.410 million).
IAF Pilot killed as Tejas Aircraft crashes during Dubai Airshow 2025
Final Day (Day Five) Highlights
On the fifth and final day, Tawazun announced nine new contracts totaling AED 1.012 billion.
These brought the cumulative total for the entire airshow to 36 contracts, AED 25.455 billion (≈ US$ 6.92 billion).
M4 Trading: Two local contracts: one for a Grand Control Station (AED 57.636 million), and another for aircraft procurement (AED 161.634 million).
Al Taif Technical Services Company: Maintenance for cooling equipment and power generators (AED 29 million).
MP3: Equipment for pilots, aerial rescue, spare parts (AED 154.5 million).
Dubai Airshow 2025: International deals:
Lockheed Martin (USA): Technical support, maintenance, and spare parts for portable devices (AED 184 million) and simulators (AED 63.551 million).
Raytheon (USA): Friendly force identification systems (AED 220.362 million).
During the 2025 Dubai Airshow, the Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and the Abu Dhabi Police signed contracts worth $6.92 billion (AED 25.455 billion). Besides being sensational numbers that make the headlines, these agreements signal very clearly the UAE’s ambitious plans in the defense sector over the next several years. In addition to acquiring the most cutting-edge systems, the nation is building a more independent, technologically focused defence industry base through Tawazun.
These agreements mean the Abu Dhabi Police aerial patrol will be expanded, their fleets will be better maintained, and they will have access to more sophisticated and advanced instruments for security operations. By doing so, UAE is putting itself in a strategic position to not only buy international defence technologies but also become a manufacturer, partner, and innovator in the global defence sector in the future.
