This partnership was first formalized through the signing of an MoU at the Paris Air Show 2025
The National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC) and Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) have cooperated to explore opportunities in the field of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space navigation systems.
The growing dependence of our economies and daily lives on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is driving a remarkable wave of innovation, leading to groundbreaking technologies that deliver enhanced resilience and exponentially improved performance.
Indeed, LEO PNT satellites will provide guaranteed and sovereign centimeter location accuracy, robustness, resistance against jamming and spoofing as well as low latency (very fast acquisition).
Strategic importance
Recognizing the strategic importance of LEO PNT, the NSSTC is working closely with Thales Alenia Space, a global leader in satellite navigation and space technologies, to explore opportunities in this domain.
This partnership was first formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Paris Air Show 2025, establishing a common framework for cooperation.
“LEO PNT will bring a new level of precision and resilience, and working with Thales Alenia Space allows us to accelerate our path toward a sovereign system that supports the UAE’s long-term strategic vision,” stated Ali Al Shehhi, Director, NSSTC.
Satellite navigation
“We are proud to offer our solid expertise in satellite navigation to the NSSTC, thereby strengthening our collaboration with the United Arab Emirates in the space domain.” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space.
The National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) was established in 2016, with a clear mandate to advance the UAE’s capabilities in Earth Observation and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies.
