Image used for illustrative purposes. Photo: File

Insitu, a subsidiary of US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, is planning to produce parts of drones in the future, according to Diane Rose, the president and CEO of Insitu. Rose made this announcement during an interview with Khaleej Times following the inauguration of Insitu’s new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Centre of Excellence at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. The center aims to localize maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), training, and other critical services for the UAE Armed Forces.

Insitu specializes in manufacturing a range of runway-independent, long-endurance UAS, including the ScanEagle, Integrator, and Integrator Extended Range. “The facility has been established through the Tawazun Council, with a focus on supporting the UAE’s land forces, who are the primary users of the innovator system. The vision is to offer repair and overhaul capabilities, along with training, at this facility. This new center will strengthen our partnership with the Tawazun Council, enhance our support services, and create frequent opportunities for collaboration with other Emirati companies within the defense sector,” Rose explained.

Insitu’s growth strategy is divided into four phases, leading up to 2030. The first phase saw the opening of the Centre of Excellence, which includes an engine overhaul and training facility. Future phases will involve local sourcing, research and development (R&D) projects, an engineering center, and a manufacturing and software center.

“We have a phased approach to partnering with local industry players and advancing repair capabilities, potentially including manufacturing. We are also considering R&D activities and third-party payloads developed in the UAE. This is how we aim to progress over the next few years to expand our capabilities,” Rose added. She further noted that Insitu can accelerate any of these opportunities based on the needs of its partners.

“The initial focus is on manufacturing key components of drones, which will reduce time and foster partnerships with local industries. Assembly activities are part of a longer-term strategy.” Rose emphasized that the MRO facility could significantly benefit regional partners by providing repair services, logistics support, and training activities.

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