GE Aerospace and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing talent development, research activity and innovation within the aerospace sector. The partnership aligns with the UAE’s wider ambition to expand its scientific and technological capabilities, with a particular focus on progress in space exploration and environmental research.
Under the agreement, both organisations will combine the strengths of GE Aerospace’s Middle East Technology Center (MTC) in Dubai and MBRSC’s established expertise in satellite technology and Earth observation. The collaboration will involve a number of joint initiatives, including the development of UAE nationals through GE Aerospace’s 24-month Early Career Trainee programme, potential research pathways with the GE Aerospace Research Center in New York, atmospheric research projects, and the exchange of operational and technical knowledge.
“GE Aerospace is proud to partner with MBRSC to support the UAE’s ambitious vision for scientific and technological advancement,” said Aziz Koleilat, President & CEO of GE Aerospace for the Middle East, Türkiye, Eastern Europe & CIS. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation of UAE talent and driving innovation that contributes to the region’s leadership in the global space industry.”
MBRSC has played a central role in shaping the UAE’s growing space sector, with projects such as the Emirates Mars Mission and the creation of advanced satellite systems defining its recent trajectory. Through the MOU, GE Aerospace and MBRSC plan to work together on research initiatives that utilise MBRSC’s satellite data alongside GE Aerospace’s technical capabilities to carry out advanced atmospheric studies.
H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said: “Our collaboration with GE Aerospace reflects a practical commitment to building the capabilities our work requires. By combining resources and expertise, we are creating opportunities that support technical growth, strengthen our research efforts and contribute to the development of emerging Emirati talent. This partnership allows us to advance projects that benefit from shared knowledge and complementary strengths, ensuring that the outcomes are both meaningful and sustainable.”
A key element of the MOU also includes GE Aerospace providing Lean training to teams at MBRSC. The training is intended to support improved operational performance and encourage a culture of continuous enhancement within the organisation. This focus aligns with the UAE’s broader long-term goals around innovation, sustainability and maintaining a competitive position in global technological development.
For GE Aerospace, the MOU builds on a four-decade relationship with the UAE. The company currently employs more than 240 people in the country and operates from offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Airport Freezone. Its presence includes an On Wing Support Center in Dubai South, along with engineering, testing and MRO facilities. The Middle East Technology Center, a significant part of GE Aerospace’s regional network, continues to focus on solutions tailored to the Gulf’s hot and harsh climate.
Through this latest agreement, both GE Aerospace and MBRSC aim to contribute to the UAE’s long-term ambitions in aerospace, environmental science and workforce development, while laying the groundwork for new scientific and technical advancements in the years ahead.
