Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, appointed the Tawazun Economic Council to manage the contract and procurement process of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Police.
Tawazun will handle the administrative, technical, contractual, legal and financial aspects of procurement and acquisitions.
It will also conduct follow-ups and supervise the process.
“This resolution will help us boost our collective efforts to enhance the UAE’s defence capabilities and achieve its strategic priorities through adopting international best practice in contract and procurement management,” said Matar Al Dhaheri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence.
“In doing so, we aim to drive continuous innovation and improvements in our supply chain system while realising the country’s strategic objective of building a future-focused defence sector.”
The economic council is a state body tasked with driving economic growth and the development of the UAE’s defence and security industries.
Under its new remit, Tawazun will approve and award projects and contracts and handle the relevant executive procedures. It will also prepare and manage procurement budgets, register suppliers and review their requests.
Tawazun will also revise and develop legislation and policies to bring procurement in line with the latest industry standards and best practice.
The mandate includes quality control to improve and meet the needs of various stakeholders and address their complaints.
“Through drawing the active participation of national companies in the defence and security supply chain, we are set to witness a paradigm shift in the UAE’s defence sector,” said Tawazun chief executive Tareq Al Hosani.
“Tawazun has come a long way in enabling specialised defence and security companies in the country to adopt the latest technology such as artificial intelligence, to efficiently meet the requirements of the Armed Forces and the police, in addition to creating several job opportunities for talented Emiratis.”
Enhanced contract and procurement co-operation between Tawazun and the emirate's police will allow the force to use the latest technology and innovative solutions to “ensure a robust security system”, said Maj Gen Staff Pilot Faris Al Mazrouei, commander-in-chief of Abu Dhabi Police.
The UAE Armed Forces awarded Dh20.56 billion ($5.6bn) in defence deals to international and local companies during the first four days of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference that is taking place in Abu Dhabi.
The five-day expo, the largest in the Middle East, ends on February 25.
