Tawazun Council and Lockheed Martin to launch Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in UAE
Tawazun Council and Lockheed Martin to launch Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in UAE
Publish Date: 2026-05-06 01:42:00
Source Domain: satelliteprome.com
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin and Data7 will establish a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, which comes as a part of the UAE’s Tawazun Economic Programme, overseen by the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Director General, Industry Development of Tawazun, and Daniel Mouton, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Middle East. Photo credit: Tawazun
In a move designed to strengthen the United Arab Emirates’ national digital security capabilities, Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin to establish a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in the UAE. The agreement was announced during Make it in the Emirates 2026, taking place from May 5 to 7 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement was signed by Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi and Daniel Mouton, in the presence of Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, and representatives from Data7.
Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin and Data7 will work together to establish the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence as part of the UAE’s Tawazun Economic Programme, overseen by Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement. The centre is expected to serve as a national platform aimed at enhancing cybersecurity preparedness, driving innovation, and supporting the development of an integrated digital security ecosystem aligned with the UAE’s strategic priorities.
The partnership will also focus on building a technology transfer framework with Data7 to strengthen sovereign digital capabilities and localise advanced cybersecurity technologies within the UAE. The initiative will be developed in close coordination with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, with an emphasis on strengthening national cyber resilience and developing skilled Emirati talent capable of addressing evolving digital security challenges.
Speaking on the initiative, H.E. Dr Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi emphasised on the significance of this initiative that reflects Tawazun’s mandate to translate national priorities into actionable programmes that strengthen long-term resilience and that, through Tawazun Economic Programme, Tawazun will continue enabling partnerships that develop sovereign capabilities, support national talent, and deliver measurable outcomes for the UAE’s defence and security ecosystem.
H.E. Dr Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, affirmed that this step comes as part of the Cyber Security Council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cyber resilience and enhance the national readiness required to address the growing digital and cyber risks. He emphasised that this direction reflects the UAE’s continued, rapid, and well-balanced progress in reinforcing international cooperation at the highest levels with various partners to confront emerging threats. It also highlights the nation’s leading role as an influential international actor in advancing the security of cyberspace and as a key contributor to global efforts aimed at safeguarding the achievements of digital development and fostering a secure and prosperous digital environment.
H.E. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Director General, Industry Development of Tawazun, said: “This agreement marks a significant milestone in our commitment to building a sovereign, future-ready cybersecurity ecosystem in the UAE. By partnering with a global leader of Lockheed Martin’s calibre, and in close coordination with the UAE Cybersecurity Council and Data7, we are creating pathways for technology transfer, national capability development, and the localisation of advanced digital security expertise. The Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence will serve as a cornerstone of the UAE’s ambition to lead in the protection of its digital assets and to emerge as a trusted regional hub for cybersecurity innovation.”
Daniel Mouton, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Middle East, stated: “Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the UAE has spanned more than five decades, and this agreement marks a deliberate evolution in how we work together. With Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, the UAE Cybersecurity Council and Data7, the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence will help establish an ecosystem where sovereign technology, advanced cyber operations and Emirati talent reinforce one another over time. Together, these efforts form a value chain that builds national capability in the Emirates while creating opportunities for innovation and industrial co-creation with US partners.”
The agreement marks another strategic step in advancing the UAE’s vision of building a secure, knowledge-based economy powered by national expertise, international partnerships, and a resilient defence and security infrastructure.
