AD Ports Group develops defence industrial free zone
AD Ports Group and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement have forged a strategic partnership to establish the Al Selmiyyah Defence Industrial Free Zone in Abu Dhabi. This significant development is poised to accelerate the creation of an advanced and sustainable national defence industrial base for the United Arab Emirates.
The initiative is specifically designed to attract leading original equipment manufacturers, foster localized production capabilities, and bolster the UAE’s long-term defence readiness and industrial sovereignty. Al Selmiyyah will function as an integrated defence industrial ecosystem, encompassing specialized infrastructure, sophisticated regulatory frameworks, robust industrial security and compliance standards, and seamless integration with logistics networks and global supply chains. This environment will offer global defence companies a competitive platform to establish operations within the UAE, while simultaneously cultivating high-value partnerships that bridge national capabilities with international expertise.
Furthermore, the initiative is projected to drive technology transfer, deepen domestic supply chains, enhance export readiness, and broaden the participation of national companies and small and medium-sized enterprises within the defence supply chain.
Under the terms of this collaboration, the Tawazun Council will spearhead the development of the regulatory and licensing frameworks, ensure alignment with national defence capability priorities, and oversee the industrial compliance ecosystem. AD Ports Group will act as the strategic partner and advisor, guiding the master planning process, shaping land use and infrastructure development, and contributing its expertise in industrial zone management to support phased delivery, ecosystem integration, and connectivity to regional and global trade networks.
Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun, highlighted Al Selmiyyah as a pioneering regional initiative aimed at attracting premier global manufacturers and expediting the growth of the UAE’s defence industrial base through advanced partnerships and technology transfer. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, characterized the zone as a strategic enhancement to the group’s free zone portfolio and a testament to the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced industries.