Integrated Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem Approach for the UAE (IDEA-UAE)

Research undertaken, personal experience, and industry insights indicate a need to develop a comprehensive ecosystem for the UAE defence manufacturing sector. The sector lacks such an ecosystem, which is crucial for fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Developing a robust ecosystem involves integrating government entities, private companies, research institutions, and educational facilities into a collaborative environment that drives technological advancements and innovative solutions. This synergy enhances the quality and competitiveness of defence products globally. Supported by extensive literature reviews, surveys of industry professionals, and analysis of industry reports, it is clearly identified that there is a pressing need for research in this area. A comprehensive analysis of defence manufacturing practices in newly industrialised countries and developed nations has paved the way to identify best practices that have significantly contributed to the growth of their defence manufacturing industries. Among these best practices, having a robust ecosystem emerges as a major feature. The Integrated Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem Approach for the UAE (IDEA-UAE) is developed by systematically synthesising various ecosystems. This approach covers a range of critical areas, such as supply chain management, talent development, technological innovation, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships. Each ecosystem is explored in depth to support the creation of an integrated approach, and its main actors are identified. Given the importance of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing, the most promising framework for defence manufacturing is also identified.