Dubai: The Baynuna Group, a leading UAE aviation and defence company, has set up joint ventures with two leading French aviation and missile companies to achieve self reliance in aeronautics and advanced aviation systems, and aeronautical training while performing maintenance work on weapons, a senior official said on Wednesday.
"Baynuna Aviation Technology (BAT) and Dassult Aviation have teamed up to establish a new Abu Dhabi-based joint-venture, Dasbat Aviation LLC, dedicated to contributing to the UAE's self-reliance in the field of aeronautics and advanced aviation systems, advanced aeronautical training, outsourcing of aircraft maintenance and research and development," said Major General Khalid Al Buainnain, chairman of the group.
"Dasbat Aviation LLC will be devoted to providing (the) UAE Air Force and Air Defence with long-term supplies and services for Dassault Aviation fighter aircraft."
Benefiting from the unique know-how and experience of its well known partners, Dasbat Aviation, will develop products and services, as they contribute to the development of an aeronautic flight test centre based in the UAE.
"This is the achievement of our long time relationship with the UAE. It embodies our joint effort to consolidate a strategic partnership with the UAE industry, under the wise vision of UAE leadership," said Eric Trappier, the executive vice president of Dassult Aviation.
Dasbat Aviation will offer wide and long term support for the Air Force fleet, apart from providing spare parts, repair services, training and technical assistance and global maintenance outsourcing services, in the UAE and the Gulf Region.
"This unique technology company will contribute to the development of advanced aviation technology in Abu Dhabi, including development and manufacturing of fighter, civilian aircraft and UAV, systems integration and operation of a Flight Test Centre. This is a remarkable accomplishment with the value adding projects that will reinforce Abu Dhabi as leading aviation Centre of Excellence in the field of aeronautical industry," said General Al Buainnain.
The Baynuna Group also set up a joint venture firm with a leading French missile company to perform maintenance on existing weapons and work together on technological upgrades.
The UAE Armed Forces has deployed about Dh4 billion worth of missiles from MBDA, the French firm, including the famous Exocet, according to Major General Al Buainnain.
"This is an important step toward boosting national capabilities. It does have strategic dimensions - this is not just a short-term joint venture," he said.
The deal will also preside over the development and maintenance of missile, while covering the training of members of the UAE Armed Forces.
The deal marked an important step in the development of a sophisticated defence sector, and is expected to be more fruitful to the country's economic development than the setting up a manufacturing facility, he said.
By customising existing missile systems and helping to develop new ones, Emirati engineers would gain valuable experience building modern weapons.
MBDA said the new venture with Baynuna would allow it to better serve its customers in the region, including the UAE military, and would also serve as a means to transfer technology to the growing defence sector of the country's economy.
